'Sequestration': $49 Million for Luxury Jets? | Drudge Retort

Saturday, March 02, 2013

'Sequestration': $49 Million for Luxury Jets?

This morning, sequestration officially kicked in, setting off a chain reaction that – unless Congress decides to come together and act, a scenario looking increasingly unlikely – will result in massive budget cuts across the defense community.

Luckily, the Air Force will be able to ride out the cuts – in style – after pledging almost $50 million to support their fleet of C-37 luxury jets.

Posted by diablo at 11:23 PM | 58 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Advertisement

Menu

Front Page
Breaking News
Comments
Flagged Comments
User Blogs
Write a Blog Entry
Create a Poll
Edit Account
Weekly Digest
Stats Page
RSS Feed
Back Page

Advertisement

Subscriptions

Read the Retort using RSS.

Author Info

Joined 2009/03/21
Visited 2013/05/22

Status: user

Advertisement

MORE STORIES

IRS Official to Take the 5th (1 comments) ...

UFC Fighter Suspended for Anti-Gay Slur (20 comments) ...

When Liberals Decide Cases (18 comments) ...

Planned Parenthood Helped Rapist Cover His Tracks (13 comments) ...

India Considers Troops in Afghanistan? (6 comments) ...

Advertisement

More

Last night, the DoD released a list of new contract announcement, as they do every night at roughly 5 PM. Given that this would be the last pre-sequestration contract dump, your intrepid reporter was keeping a close eye on what was announced.

But it was a surprise to see the following contract:

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga., is being awarded a $49,594,534 firm-fixed-price contract (FA8106-13-D-0001) for contractor logistics support services for the C-37 aircraft. The location of performance is Savannah, Ga.; MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; Joint Base Andrews, Md.; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii and Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013. The contracting activity is OC-ALC/GKSKB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

The C-37 is described on the Air Force's website as "a twin-engine, turbofan aircraft acquired to fill the worldwide special air missions for high-ranking government and Defense Department officials."

There are nine of the jets serving the Air Force (all in the active component), which means each jet is getting roughly $5.5 million worth of work before the end of the year.

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Personal attacks, profanity, abusive conduct and expressions of prejudice are not allowed. If you have comments about site moderation, contact the site publisher in email.

Before anyone starts screaming about military waste, do not think for one second the same has not happened in every social service and environmental bureaucracy before the alleged horror of sequestration cuts!
Obama promised us people will starve now that these cuts have come. Why is he not angry about this?

#1 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-02 11:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

For pespective, that's about the price of a single F-18, of which the navy has about 650.

#2 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 12:04 AM | Reply | Flag:

F-18's actually defend us, Redial. Luxury jets do not.

#3 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-03 12:10 AM | Reply | Flag:

And, BTW, Redial, children will starve!

#4 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-03 12:13 AM | Reply | Flag:

My point was that the military budget is so huge this pittance barely registers.

#5 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 12:14 AM | Reply | Flag:

Obama family costs taxpayers $1.4 BILLION per year.

What a bargain.

#6 | Posted by Greatamerican at 2013-03-03 12:19 AM | Reply | Flag:

True, GA, and I 'sincerely' believe sequestration will lower that expense, right?

#7 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-03 12:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

F-18's actually defend us, Redial.

No they don't. The F/A-18 is an attack platform (that's what the A is for). The only defensive role it serves is defense of the carrier group itself. And carrier groups aren't defensive in nature, they're floating force projection platforms.

#8 | Posted by snoofy at 2013-03-03 12:25 AM | Reply | Flag:

Posted by Diablo

LOL...Michelle is furloughing staff as we speak...

#9 | Posted by Greatamerican at 2013-03-03 12:26 AM | Reply | Flag:

Posted by snoofy

Ahem...so Carriers aren't defended?

#10 | Posted by Greatamerican at 2013-03-03 12:28 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Obama family costs taxpayers $1.4 BILLION per year."

That's because he won the election. Do you think President and Mrs. Romney would have been less expensive to support?

#11 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 12:30 AM | Reply | Flag:

#8 | Posted by snoofy

Best defense is a good offense?

#12 | Posted by et_al at 2013-03-03 12:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

Do you think President and Mrs. Romney would have been less expensive to support?

Posted by REDIAL

Where do I start...

1. Not wannabe runaway royalty

2. Already rich

3. etc.

#13 | Posted by Greatamerican at 2013-03-03 12:48 AM | Reply | Flag:

"No they don't. The F/A-18 is an attack platform (that's what the A is for). The only defensive role it serves is defense of the carrier group itself. And carrier groups aren't defensive in nature, they're floating force projection platforms."

Snoof: if they kill an enemy they are not defending us???
Call your doctor.

#15 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-03 12:54 AM | Reply | Flag:

#8 | Posted by snoofy

Best defense is a good offense?

Well if you're going with that logic, the planes which carry around the big-wigs and keep them on top of their game (because they didn't have to endure crossing the Atlantic in a C-310 like some Gitmo detainee) are as much a part of the overall "defense" as some attack planes are. Maybe moreso.

#16 | Posted by snoofy at 2013-03-03 01:06 AM | Reply | Flag:

... should read C-130...

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2013-03-03 01:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Where do I start..."

You could try answering the question.

Do you think, had he won, Mitt Romney and his family would have been less expensive to support?

#18 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 01:08 AM | Reply | Flag:

The Obamas remind me of the Jeffersons.

rwd

#20 | Posted by rightwingdon at 2013-03-03 01:14 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Romney would have cost about 1/5 th of what the Obama's cost in upkeep."

And you base that on what?

#22 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 01:17 AM | Reply | Flag:

Let's see now, the majority of the Aircraft in the Air Force are either fighters, bombers, tankers or cargo jets - none of which are feasible/cost effective for transport of just a few passengers; sometimes with little notification.

#24 | Posted by MSgt at 2013-03-03 01:25 AM | Reply | Flag:

So you don't actually have anything to base this 80% reduction in cost on, do you?

That's what I thought.

#26 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 01:30 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Do you see it some other way..."

Yes. I think supporting the Romneys would cost at least three times as much, since they are already super rich and would expect even more as the First Couple.

The horse alone would cost over a billion dollars over 4 years just in security.

#28 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 01:43 AM | Reply | Flag:

"The horse alone would cost over a billion dollars over 4 years just in security."

Redial, I know it is Saturday night, but if you can't lay off the stuff at least do not log on, okay?

#30 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-03 01:49 AM | Reply | Flag:

"You are using insults to make a false claim."

No I am not. I'm simply making stuff up, as are you.

Have a nice evening.

#31 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 01:50 AM | Reply | Flag:

1. Romney is extremely wealthy and had always been very well off, he is used to wealth and power and it wouldn't have gone to his head like it has the not wealthy, but middle class Obama. It's already inured in Etchy and the Mrs. Who else ran on the claim "It's OUR turn now". They are also used to the trappings of wealth. He would probably have AF-2 just for Rafalca, their million dollar dancing horse. Seriously, who owns a dancing horse?

2. He is a Mormon and they live a much more modest life style. The Etchies own 3 or more million dollar plus homes, including one with a car elevator. The last one was was bought for several million dollars, torn down and a bigger mansion was built.

3. He is Mormon and they wouldn't have huge parties with JayZ and Beyoncé, drinking tons of liquor and eating Wagu beef every night. Seriously, Obama parties EVERY night? It's true Etchy is currently cheaper to feed - he doesn't drink and his wall Street masters feed him. If you gave him the WH, who knows how much paybacks would cost?

4. They would have been aware of their spending because the MSM would watch every penny they spent, unlike the Obama's which are given an almost total pass. You mean the rightwing propaganda machine doesn't publicize every penny Obama spends?

You need to get out more.

Remember Dubya was also a silver spoon millionaire and he had no problem flying home every weekend on the taxpayers dime.

#33 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-03 01:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

Redial, the Obama's have spent more then any couple in a comparable time frame in US history.

That's fact.

Link, please.

#34 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-03 01:57 PM | Reply | Flag:

After all the onerous "cuts" coming, the amount of spending for FY2013 will be higher then last year-----oh noooooooooo; we're all freakin doomed!!! Of course, we are freakin doomed but it's going to be later on as the can is kicked again further down the road----at least more people will become more sane and not listen to the BS POTUS.

#35 | Posted by matsop at 2013-03-03 02:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

What, they can't fly coach? Then take a taxi? Ridiculous.

I demand heads. I demand so many heads be heaped upon the gates of Babylon that the wailing of the widows shall be heard for miles....

#36 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2013-03-03 05:00 PM | Reply | Flag:

transporting DoD officials is not part of national defense, diablo?

#37 | Posted by ichiro at 2013-03-03 07:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

Hey, when I was in the army I had to fly coach. When I was a defence contractor, I flew coach.

This is at tax-payer expense. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

#38 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2013-03-03 07:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

OK. I just googled "C-37 interior".

preview.turbosquid.com

No way am I springing for that.

#39 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2013-03-03 07:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

"No way am I springing for that."

Pretty spartan compared with the higher end models:

www.aircraftinvestmentgroup.co
m

#40 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 07:45 PM | Reply | Flag:

Is "sequestration" some sort of grand scheme to get Obama in an air plane that cheney can shoot down and the demand obama apologize to him?

#41 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-03 07:55 PM | Reply | Flag:

"at least more people will become more sane and not listen to the BS POTUS."

Actually it seems his approval rating keeps growing. Republicans in Congress keeps shrinking. Americans have sort of figured out the nonsense the righties have been trying to sell.

#42 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-03 07:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Yeah, because the VP is totally comparable to a grunt/defense contractor...

#43 | Posted by jpw at 2013-03-03 07:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

"F-18's actually defend us..."

Against what?

#44 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-03 08:12 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Against what?"

The massive fleet of Iranian landing craft that are probably half way across the Atlantic by now...

#45 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 08:38 PM | Reply | Flag:

NULLIFIDIAN if you think there's no airborne threat to American citizens your memory is comparable to those on fox who forget about 9/11 when it suits them.

#46 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-03 08:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

The point is that there are lot of things that could be "cut" rather than those that hurt people deeply. They won't however, they want a show.

#47 | Posted by sames1 at 2013-03-03 08:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

"The point is that there are lot of things that could be "cut" rather than those that hurt people deeply."

Under the rules for the sequester there is no way to customize those cuts, it's just a simple "across the board cut." [...] Buy a newspaper.

#48 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-03 08:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

"The massive fleet of Iranian landing craft that are probably half way across the Atlantic by now..."

I'm going to start praying for rough seas. Perhaps a hurricane.

#49 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-03 09:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

Under the rules for the sequester there is no way to customize those cuts, it's just a simple "across the board cut."

Pretty simple concept.

#50 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-03-03 09:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Pretty simple concept."

And in the next few weeks we'll see why simple is not the way to go. To pretend that a more thoughtful, intelligent program of cuts wouldn't have been smarter is ridiculous and we could have done that with just a little cooperation from the GOP. When we should hurt our economy rather that closing a loop hole for a corporation paying no tax yet receivingt a 429 million refund...come on...!

#51 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-03 09:24 PM | Reply | Flag:

NULLIFIDIAN if you think there's no airborne threat to American citizens your memory is comparable to those on fox who forget about 9/11 when it suits them.

#46 | Posted by Tor

You didn't answer the question. I don't know why you even bothered to respond to me with such a weak response. If you think there's a threat to the territorial integrity of the U.S. you should write a letter to your congressman.

#52 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-03 09:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

"NULLIFIDIAN if you think there's no airborne threat to American citizens your memory is comparable to those on fox who forget about 9/11 when it suits them."

I think we should build more aircraft carriers to defend against attacks by hijacked airplanes. You got me there.

#53 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-03 09:38 PM | Reply | Flag:

Let's see there's nuclear threats, threats from organized crime syndicates in neighboring countries, Cuba isn't a threat right now but it sure could become one, only God knows what's going to become of Russia, there's any number of domestic groups that could develop a death wish......etc.

#54 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-03 09:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

#54 | Posted by Tor

Do you have an assertion of some sort, or are you just babbling for personal reasons?

#55 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-03 09:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

List of Active US Military Aircraft, by branch:

en.wikipedia.org

#56 | Posted by madscientist at 2013-03-03 09:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

"To pretend that a more thoughtful, intelligent program of cuts wouldn't have been smarter is ridiculous and we could have done that with just a little cooperation from the GOP."

For Danni to admit budget cuts are thoughtful and intelligent is about $16 trillion too late for her credibility.

#58 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-03-04 12:37 AM | Reply | Flag:

I'd say those things I listed are threats to America NULLIFIDIAN.

#59 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-04 01:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

"For Danni to admit budget cuts are thoughtful and intelligent is about $16 trillion too late for her credibility."

Oh I see, then I guess deficits actually do matter which is what I told everyone back when Dubya was cutting taxes and invading Iraq. For y'all to finally accept that and now pretend to preach to the choir is sort of hilarious. Now, if only the Republicans in Congress would get serious about closing some tax loopholes and fixing our budgets. Perhaps even take Ronald Reagan's advice and make capital gains taxes the same as any other income taxes.

#60 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-04 06:50 AM | Reply | Flag:

Do you think President and Mrs. Romney would have been less expensive to support?

#11 | POSTED BY REDIAL AT 2013-03-03 12:30 AM | REPLY | FLAG:

Oh, I am sure that they would have eliminated all the white house staff, secret service, eliminated the motorcade and sold AF1 for scrap.

That is just the type of people they are.

#61 | Posted by 726 at 2013-03-04 09:40 AM | Reply | Flag:

Remember Dubya was also a silver spoon millionaire and he had no problem flying home every weekend on the taxpayers dime.

#33 | POSTED BY NORTHGUY3 AT 2013-03-03 01:56 PM | FLAG:

GWB used his super saver air miles, so that every hour of AF1's operation for him actually made the taxpayers money.

Especially his NASCAR flyover.

#62 | Posted by 726 at 2013-03-04 09:42 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Romney would have cost about 1/5 th of what the Obama's cost in upkeep."
And you base that on what?

#22 | POSTED BY REDIAL AT 2013-03-03 01:17 AM | FLAG:

The same way his 20% tax cut would balance the budget.

#63 | Posted by 726 at 2013-03-04 09:44 AM | Reply | Flag:

"The Obamas remind me of the Jeffersons.
rwd"

if that is true.. you better rethink it when you claim to not be racist. literally the only thing they have in common is their skin color.

#64 | Posted by klifferd at 2013-03-04 11:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Obama family costs taxpayers $1.4 BILLION per year."
That's because he won the election. Do you think President and Mrs. Romney would have been less expensive to support?

#11 | POSTED BY REDIAL AT 2013-03-03 12:30 AM

As Governor of Mass, he didn't take a salary.

#65 | Posted by shirtsbyeric at 2013-03-04 03:12 PM | Reply | Flag:

The Obamas remind me of the Jeffersons.
rwd

#20 | POSTED BY RIGHTWINGDON AT 2013-03-03 01:14 AM | REPLY | FLAG

Why?

George Jefferson worked his ass off in the face of discrimination and succeeded through persistence and effort. The Jeffersons deserved every cent they had,

#66 | Posted by soheifox at 2013-03-04 05:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

#66

I think he means that the President hides in the bathroom whenever he doesn't get his way like George Jefferson. Though I have no idea why he would know something like that.

#67 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2013-03-04 06:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

Comments are closed for this entry.

Home | Breaking News | Comments | User Blogs | Nooner | Stats | Back Page | RSS Feed | RSS Spec | DMCA Compliance | Privacy | Copyright 2013 World Readable

Advertisement