More Layoffs Pending for Long Beach ?

The administration has been sending mixed signals on the future of the C-17.

In March the President supported continued production for the Boeing C-17 “Globemaster” made in Long Beach. The plane, which has been a standout freighter and “hospital” aircraft for US and allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, became operational in the mid ‘90s and was originally scheduled for a production of 120 planes. Last month Secretary Gates said he wanted to cut production of the C-17 and increase production of the Lockheed C-5, a plane that became operational in 1969.

The U.S. now have the lowest mortality rate of injured servicemen and women while being moved from the battlefield to hospitals in our history.  One of the key reasons are Globemasters that are equipped for Medevac transportation; where the wounded are routinely given delicate surgery while being transferred to hospitals in Europe and the U.S.

During normal testing, C-17s set 22 world records, including payload to altitude time-to-climb and the short takeoff and landing mark. The C-17 is one of the very few airplanes in the world that can “routinely” back up under its own power. A great asset when landing at remote air strips with minimum ground assistance available.  (Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV1L-EkK0VY )

The plan to scrap the contract is a decision that ultimately will be decided by congress and if it should be passed it means another 5,000 workers will join the local unemployed ranks that are already suffering, including thousands of dock workers at the ports of Long Beach and L.A..

Reps. Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach, and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, are part of a small group of Congressional representatives that say if the  program is cut  short  it will be a mistake and will jeopardize national security.

There are pending orders for additional planes from at least two friendly governments; Finland and Sweden.  Local pundits say the proposed cuts reflect “party politics” more than necessary cuts. 

Replacing a 1995 airplane with a 1969 aircraft doesn’t seem to make sense.