From my understanding, parts to this jet are made all over the US so its beneficial for US to keep paying which retains jobs in so many states.<p>This plane is highly political and its not really easy to &quot;pull the plug&quot; or not pay since many states will loose workforce.<p>Robert Gates wrote a chapter in his book about it that was fascinating.<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Duty-Memoirs-Secretary-at-War&#x2F;dp&#x2F;030794963X" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Duty-Memoirs-Secretary-at-War&#x2F;dp&#x2F;03079...</a>