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  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Northrop Grumman announcement

For Immediate Release: March 8, 2010

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire issued the following statement regarding the announcement by Northrop Grumman that they will not bid for the Air Force tanker contract:

�Northrop Grumman�s decision to not submit a bid on the tanker project is theirs to make. I urge the Department of Defense to move forward as scheduled to procure the new tankers. The very well publicized and transparent process to finally settle the tanker competition has been fair, open and responsive to all parties.

�I applaud Northrop Grumman for deciding not to protest the RFP. My colleagues in the US Tanker 2010 coalition and I have consistently said that the need for a replacement tanker is immediate, even urgent. Northrop's recognition of this urgency and its decision not to needlessly extend the process should be commended.

�The Boeing tanker is the right choice for our military and for our country. It is the best choice for our troops, the best deal for taxpayers and will create thousands of jobs here in America.�