How Did Liberty University Get a Contract for Jet Fuel? A Tale of Two Presidents, a University, and a Whole Lot of Fuel
Ever wondered how a university, known for its conservative values and ties to the evangelical Christian community, managed to snag a lucrative jet fuel contract with the Pentagon? Well, buckle up, because this story is a wild ride filled with political connections, a hefty dose of irony, and enough fuel to power a fleet of fighter jets.
Let’s rewind the clock to May 2017. The Trump administration had just kicked off, and the Pentagon, in a move that would make even the most cynical observer raise an eyebrow, signed a contract for nearly $900,000 worth of jet fuel with a company called Freedom Aviation. Now, Freedom Aviation, for those of you who don’t live and breathe aviation affairs, is wholly owned by Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Hold on, you might be thinking, “A university selling jet fuel to the Pentagon? That sounds about as likely as a penguin winning a marathon!” You’re not wrong. It’s a bit of an odd pairing, especially given Liberty’s staunch conservative reputation and its president, the ever-controversial Jerry Falwell Jr., who is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump.
Now, you might be tempted to jump to conclusions and assume that the deal was a classic case of cronyism, a back-scratching agreement between the Trump administration and one of its favorite universities. But before you grab your pitchforks and head for the nearest protest, let’s examine the facts.
Falwell, ever the showman, claimed the contract was nothing unusual, that it had been in place for decades, even pre-dating Liberty’s involvement. He argued that the Defense Department had long been buying fuel from Lynchburg’s airport, and Liberty, through Freedom Aviation, simply stepped in as the new fuel supplier.
But here’s the thing, folks. While Falwell might be right about the airport having a long-standing relationship with the DoD, the fact remains that Freedom Aviation acquired Aviation Resources, Inc., the actual fuel supplier, in 2014. So, while the DoD might have been buying fuel from Lynchburg for years, it was only after Liberty took over that the contract was signed, and the ink was barely dry when Trump was sworn in. Hmm, a little too convenient for comfort, wouldn’t you say?
But wait, it gets even more interesting. The Pentagon countered Falwell’s claims, stating that while the airport had indeed been a fuel supplier, the volume of fuel purchased by the DoD had been significantly lower than what was being purchased from Freedom Aviation. In fact, the Pentagon claimed that the highest volume of jet fuel was actually purchased during the Obama administration. Talk about a political football, right?
So, who are we to believe? The university president with a history of flamboyance and a penchant for controversy, or the Pentagon, an organization not exactly known for its transparency and impeccable reputation? It’s like trying to choose between a bowl of lukewarm soup and a plate of burnt toast. Both options are equally unappealing.
The truth, as it often is, probably lies somewhere in the middle. It’s entirely possible that the contract was legitimate, that Liberty, through Freedom Aviation, simply won a fair bid for the fuel contract. But let’s be honest, the timing of the deal, coupled with Falwell’s outspoken support for Trump, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. It’s like finding a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk – you’re delighted, but you can’t help but wonder if someone dropped it on purpose.
This whole saga has become a textbook example of how politics and business can intertwine in unexpected ways. It’s a story that highlights the potential for conflicts of interest, raises questions about transparency, and serves as a reminder that even in the world of aviation, where the sky’s the limit, there are still plenty of shadowy corners.
So, the next time you see a Liberty University-branded airplane soaring through the skies, you might want to think twice. It could be carrying a group of future missionaries, or it could be delivering a load of fuel to the Pentagon. You know, just another day in the wonderfully bizarre world of American politics and business. Or, as my grandmother used to say, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
But hey, at least we’re not talking about another scandal involving a university president and a pool boy, right? Oh, right, that was Liberty too. Never mind.