LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- The Board of Supervisors is set to oppose the reduction in the production of the C-17 from the nation's defense budget.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has proposed ending purchases of the C-17 Globemaster III Transport Jet, which is manufactured by Boeing at its Long Beach plant.
In a motion to be considered by the board Tuesday, Supervisor Don knabe states:
"The C-17 is a key component of our nation's ability to effectively deploy strategic military assets in critical locations around the world in an efficient manner. It is the last wide-bodied military aircraft in the country and has performed brilliantly in both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, is crucial to fight terrorism around the globe, and has conducted countless humanitarian missions.
"Under the current proposal, the C-17 will not be purchased after 2010, and without additional orders, the C-17 line will close. At a time when the federal government is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into efforts to protect jobs and shore-up the economy, it is counterproductive to cut a program that employs 5,000 people at the C-17 plant in Long Beach and another 30,000 people at supplier facilities across the nation."
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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