KC-767s put on hold

The USAF program to lease 20 and buy 80 Boeing KC-767 tankers has been placed on hold until the Defense Department inspector general determines whether the planned acquisition has been tainted by an emerging scandal at the Boeing.

Deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz said he was “ordering a pause” in the execution of the tanker contracts until the IG assessed whether air force negotiations were negatively affected by the “improper conduct” of two former Boeing executives.

Wolfowitz also asked the IG to determine whether there was a “compelling reason” why the air force should not proceed with the tanker program.