Support the Beech AT-6 Texan II

I write today to express my concerns with the U.S. Air Force decision to award the Light Air Support (LAS) contract to Brazilian-owned Embraer over America's own Beechcraft AT-6 in what has been a controversial and biased procurement process thus far. This decision would provide an economic boost overseas -- jeopardizing 1,400 jobs across the country as American manufacturing workers face challenges here at home.

The AT-6 would preserve 1,400 American jobs at 181 companies in 38 U.S. states, whereas the other bidder for the LAS contract, Brazil's Embraer, presents the possibility of only 50 final assembly jobs in this country. As our economy continues to recover, Department of Defense (DOD) officials and policymakers should more carefully consider the implications of sending these jobs to a South American country that is so outspoken in its opposition to American foreign policy.

Not only does the AT-6 provide the best advanced training and light attack capabilities required for LAS at a lower cost, it achieves real efficiencies that no other competitor can possibly match by leveraging significant prior DOD investment. With sequestration defense budget cuts imminent, awarding the contract to Brazil's Embraer would inexplicably cost American taxpayers 40% more -- $125 million over budget.

I strongly support Beechcraft's bid to build LAS aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. This contract represents an opportunity to sustain American engineering and manufacturing jobs and strengthen our national security for years to come. Since multiple investigations have shown the initial LAS contract procurement process was mishandled and unfairly biased toward Brazil's Embraer, I support Beechcraft's determination to ask the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the Air Force decision for possible improprieties.

The Air Force's decision is surprising since they rated the American-made Beechcraft AT-6 as "exceptional" in their recent evaluation of the aircraft. The AT-6 has proven that it can accomplish the entire mission spectrum described in the LAS competition and more. It has demonstrated the technical and performance superiority of the American-made AT-6 over the competition at events like the Air Force's Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) 2010.

All of our current Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard fixed-wing pilots have trained on a Beechcraft aircraft. The company has a history of manufacturing aircraft that meet the military needs of this country since World War II. Therefore, I respectfully ask you to join the list of policy makers and members of the flying military who support Beechcraft's bid for the LAS contract. We have the opportunity to ensure the men and women of our armed forces are equipped with the best possible aircraft while bolstering crucial American jobs.