Boeing’s Wichita Operations Cut Jobs: Boeing is restructuring its Wichita, Kan., operations, laying off approximately 900 because of defense budget cuts, program delays, and contract completions. According to Derek McLuckey, general manager of the site, the Wichita plant will continue to handle military modifications and upgrades for 747s and other aircraft and will focus on engineering work for the B-52 fleet and other aviation and defense projects. The company plans to move management of its KC-135 program and several engineering jobs to its Oklahoma City, Okla., site later this year “to better service the customer.”
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.
