New Life For Long Beach Production Line

Boeing and the government of Qatar signed an agreement Monday for the purchase of the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to provide new strategic-airlift mobility capabilities for the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF). Qatar will sign a Foreign Military Sales agreement for contractor logistics support with the US Air Force.

"Boeing is pleased that Qatar joins its international partners -- the US Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, Canadian Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force -- in selecting the C-17, the world's leading airlifter, to modernize its defense forces' airlift fleet," said Jean Chamberlin, vice president and general manager, Global Mobility Systems. "We look forward to delivering C-17s and a new world-class airlift capability to Qatar, with the industry-leading safety, quality and reliability that all C-17 customers enjoy."

"The QAF is very pleased to be acquiring C-17s," said Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Ali Al-Attiyah, chief of staff, Qatar Armed Forces. "The C-17 Globemaster III is a world-class strategic and tactical airlifter that has proven itself repeatedly around the world. This agreement marks a new era in Qatar's ability to provide strategic airlift in support of our military and humanitarian operations."

Boeing will begin deliveries from its Long Beach, CA C-17 factory in summer 2009... breathing new life into that production line, which has been on shaky ground as the US Air Force continues to ponder whether to purchase more of the heavy airlifters.

Boeing is on contract to design, build, deliver and support 190 US Air Force C-17s, and the company will soon negotiate the contract for 15 additional C-17s that were approved in the 2008 Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Bill.

There are currently 189 C-17s in service worldwide. The US Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 175. The Royal Air Force has six, the Canadian Forces has four and the Royal Australian Air Force has four.

"The QAF closely evaluated the available options for airborne strategic lift and determined the C-17 best fit the requirements for the State of Qatar," said Staff Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al-Malki, head of Qatar's airlift selection committee. "The aircraft forms the core of the nation's strategic airborne lift capability."

FMI: www.boeing.com