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Air Force formally has awarded Boeing a contract valued at $2 billion to produce 10 additional C-17 strategic transports—carrying through with a Congressional mandate written into the Fiscal 2007 defense bill. Boeing spokesperson Kerry Gildea said the additional aircraft are “already factored into Boeing’s C-17 production plan.” Coupling those 10 USAF airframes with international orders means the production line will run into late 2009. However, company officials have warned that if USAF—or Congress—wants more C-17s, the time to say so is now.
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.