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Strictly Business
| May 15, 2009
Save The C-17
 Have
you ever stood up close and personal to a Boeing C-17
Globemaster III? It’s a massive aircraft, an impressive blend of
technological achievement and good old-fashioned quality
manufacturing. Simply reaching out and touching one inspires a
rush of patriotism.
C-17s are assembled right here in Long Beach, each one carrying
with it the pride and sweat of thousands of men and women who
worked long hours to produce an aircraft worthy of our country’s
trust. Nobly serving in both military and humanitarian missions,
the C-17 is a symbol of America.
But now, it needs our help.
Log on to submit your letter of support to save the C-17:
www.LongBeachAdvocacy.biz
Despite assertions from Defense Secretary Robert Gates that
enough C-17s have been made to fit the country’s needs,
California and Long Beach officials, including our Mayor Bob
Foster and the entire City Council, have come together to insist
that C-17 production continues. These leaders effectively
recognize the advantages that the aircraft holds as a versatile
tool that can be used in both military and humanitarian
missions.
Other nations have recognized the need for this versatile
aircraft, and several have placed orders to bolster their own
strategic airlift needs (six to the United Kingdom, four each to
Canada and Australia, etc.). These limited orders help continue
the production, but are merely drops in a bucket that is quickly
evaporating. Without additional funding, the C-17 program will
begin the process of shutting down late this year. Boeing’s Long
Beach production facility will surely feel the sting, but the
federal government must understand that this situation is
avoidable.
Meanwhile, back at home in Long Beach, thousands of hard-working
residents depend on the continued survival of the program to put
food on their tables. Ceasing this project would force more than
5,000 people into a financial tailspin in Long Beach alone. And
in this uncertain economy, the Boeing C-17 is single-handedly
keeping many families financially secure. With businesses
leaving California left and right, it’s imperative to support a
program that contributes approximately $3.2 billion to the state
economy each year and $8 billion nationwide.
Terminating the production of C-17s would surely be
understandable if there was no longer a use for the aircraft,
but America’s airlift needs continue to increase with each
passing year. We are still involved in two combat scenarios that
require massive equipment and large groups of personnel to be
transported quickly – the C-17’s very purpose. The armed forces
have also expanded overseas operations in other parts of the
world, making it imperative that a large and mobile unit like
the C-17 is available. The C-17 should be kept alive simply
because of our nation’s immediate needs….
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Log on to submit your letter of support to save the C-17:
www.LongBeachAdvocacy.biz |
