Tan Parker
Guest Columnist, The News Connection

Aerial refueling tankers are an integral mobility tool to ensuring that our Nation’s military forces can operate wherever they are needed around the globe. The Air Force has announced their plans to retire and replace more than 500 aerial refueling tankers that have served long past their intended lifespan. As a proponent of a strong military defense, I support all endeavors to provide our servicemen and women with state of the art tools necessary to defend our country.

Alongside my support for a strong military, I am also an advocate for the economic prosperity of Denton County, which stands to potentially benefit from the Air Force's refueling tankers program. It is estimated that $40 billion dollars will be invested in this replacement project, making the financial implications a critical factor for officials at the United States Air Force to consider when awarding a supplier contract this February.

The Boeing Company, an American based aviation leader, has submitted a formal proposal to partner with the Air Force in constructing and supplying the 500 new refueling tankers needed by our military. Boeing's plan is centered on the principle of redistributing this investment in American based suppliers, unlike their direct competitor, a European conglomerate whose own proposal includes primarily constructing the planes overseas.

Under the structure of their proposal, the Boeing Company intends to use this $40 billion dollar project to create 40,000 new jobs across the nation, and to bring hundreds of small businesses into the network as suppliers and vendors for Boeing. This is how public-private partnerships are envisioned to work with your tax dollars.

Denton County will feel the benefits from an Air Force/Boeing Company partnership alongside the rest of the nation. Three of Boeing's major suppliers are located here in our county, and stand to increase their workforces by 3,000 new jobs and to create $125 million dollars in annual economic impact with the public-private partnership. Considering Boeing's past success in supplying military aircraft and their plan to incorporate Denton County in this $40 billion dollar project, I believe their partnership is in the best interest of both our national security and our local economic prosperity. That is why I am supporting their proposal.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives, and I welcome any questions or comments you may have on this, or any other critical state issues. I can be reached at my district office at 972-724-8847, or feel free to meet with me in person on the first Saturday of every month from 8 – 10a.m. when I host open office hours.