Boeing’s decision to close its 767 line in Everett, Wash., (see above) could prove the salvation of its C-17 production facility in Long Beach, Calif. Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer James Bell said at a Miami conference earlier this week that the company might use the Long Beach plant to produce a 767 aerial refueling aircraft if Boeing gets the contract from the Air Force to build a KC-135 tanker replacement. The Los Angeles Times reports that a 777-based tanker would be built in Everett, though.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
