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Guard leaders insist on 78 JCAs

PARIS — Following the downsizing of the planned order of C-27J tactical transports from 78 to 38 aircraft, the leadership of the National Guard has written to congressional leaders demanding that 78 aircraft be ordered.

“The newly released DoD budget that decimates the Joint Cargo Aircraft program is a cause of grave concern,” wrote Gregory Wayt, head of the Adjutants General Association of the United States, which represents the senior leadership of the Army and Air National Guard.

The letter, co-signed by all National Guard adjutants and dated June 11, is addressed to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Armed Services committees.

The 78 C-27J Spartan aircraft purchase originally envisioned was set to cover the requirement of Army National Guard and Air National Guard, and excludes regular Air Force requirements. The association, the letter states, “supports fully funding 78 aircraft for the JCA program,” and says the cuts “would have a devastating impact on the National Guard and weaken our national and homeland defense.”

The letter adds, “We request an opportunity to meet and discuss this critical issue at a special hearing with your committee.”

A senior manager at Italian firm Alenia Aeronautica, which builds the C-27J, said Tuesday at the Paris Air Show that the U.S. Special Forces command would push ahead with ordering its version.

“There is an interest in acquiring 16 C-27Js, now dubbed the Stinger II, for Special Forces use,” said Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia North America.

Giordo said he saw the taking over of the program by the Air Force as a boon.

“It is an advantage to have the Air Force running the program as it is involved in Foreign Military Sales of the aircraft,” he said.

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