**Click here to listen to Congressman Bonner's comments**

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL) today made the following statement after the Air Force announced it has awarded the Northrop Grumman/EADS team the contract to build the Air Force’s KC-X Aerial Refueling Tanker:

“Today marks the dawn of a new era for Mobile, and I couldn’t be more proud of our city and our state than I am right now.  We are so very excited about having the opportunity to help the Air Force acquire the most modern and capable refueling tanker – a tanker assembled in America – by Americans.

“I was honored to be a part of this outstanding team effort led by Governor Bob Riley, Neal Wade of the Alabama Development Office, the entire Alabama congressional delegation, our local officials, and, of course, the Mobile Airport Authority and the Chamber of Commerce. I am deeply grateful to Northrop Grumman and EADS for placing such confidence not only in our region but in our workforce.  We are looking forward to growing with these two industry giants and becoming second to none in aerospace development and manufacturing.

“Throughout this process, the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama, and indeed the entire Gulf Coast region have garnered worldwide attention for an emerging aerospace industry. The Air Force clearly saw in the KC-30 what we have known all along – it is the best choice for both the warfighter and the taxpayer. People around the world have come to identify our city and our state with aerospace excellence as a result of this competition.

“The workforce of south Alabama is up to the challenge, and I commend the Air Force for seeing beyond all of the rhetoric and for placing its confidence in us.  Neither the Air Force nor the warfighter will be disappointed.”

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