WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement after the Department of Defense announced the termination of the current Air Force tanker competition:

 “Today’s decision is the result of the politics that unfortunately inhibited the Defense Department from making a timely decision on this contract.  With the average age of the current fleet of Air Force tankers nearing 50 years, this disappointing decision means our men and women will continue waiting for the new tankers they badly need.  I believe the Northrop Grumman tanker provides the best option for our men and women in uniform, and I hope the tanker contract will be acted on by the next administration with the urgency it deserves.”