A Look Back at April

The photos above were taken back in April and I thought it would be nice to share them with you. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

India OKs $4 billion deal to buy 10 Long Beach-built C-17s

NEW DELHI — -- India's Cabinet has approved a proposal to buy 10 American C-17 military aircraft for more than $4 billion, the largest defense deal between the two nations, a defense official said Monday.

The deal requires the aircraft maker, Boeing Co., to invest 30 percent of the $4 billion in defense-related industries in India, said the official, who could not be named because he wasn't authorized to discuss the subject.

The approval comes after Boeing and another American defense manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, were rejected for an $11 billion deal to supply 126 fighter jets for the Indian air force.

The agreement to purchase the 10 heavy-lifting aircraft must be signed by both governments before the manufacturer begins to deliver the planes, said Rahul Bedi, a New Delhi-based analyst for the independent Jane's Information Group.

The Long Beach-built C-17 is a large transport aircraft and is used to airlift tanks, supplies and troops as well as to perform medical evacuations. It is capable of operating from basic airstrips.

Since 2002, New Delhi has become a closer strategic and military ally of Washington following decades of hostile relations during the Cold War-era when it was a close Soviet partner, Bedi said.

So far, the largest Indian defense deal with the United States has been the purchase of eight Boeing P-8 I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for $2.1 billion in 2009.

India is expected to spend $80 billion over the next decade to upgrade its military.

India has become the world's top arms and defense equipment buyer in recent years due to its rising concerns about China's growing power in the region as well as its traditional rivalry with neighboring Pakistan.

About 70 percent of India's military hardware is of Soviet origin.

(Associated Press - Muneeza Navqi)

Tuesday 5-17-11

Qatar Emiri Air Force C-17A A7-MAB (F-209) arrived at 12:15pm and parked at Signature.

JetBlue Airways N793JB (c/n 4647) "My Other Ride Is A JetBlue E-190" has been flying in and out of LGB for the last couple of days. The tail design is "Barcode".

Boeing Delivers First C-17A to United Arab of Emirates Air Force

The United Arab of Emirates Air Force took delivery yesterday of it's first C-17A which will be followed by 5 more. The plane took off at 12:10pm and did a very nice flyby and wingwave for the Boeing employees.

Tuesday 3-15-11

A new C-17A that is destined for McChord AFB took off on a test flight at 12:05pm and returned at 12:44pm.

Miami Air 737-81Q (c/n 30618/830) N732MA arrived at 3:55pm from Spirit Of St Louis (KSUS) as BSK386 and parked at AirFlite. The plane brought in the St. Louis Blues hockey team.

C-17s take off on Japan relief

Following a long history of disaster relief missions, Boeing C-17 cargo jets from across the globe are descending on Japan to aid in the aftermath of a 9.0 earthquake that killed thousands.

Since the March 11 quake, the United States, Australia and United Kingdom have deployed C-17s loaded with food, water, medical gear, sniffer dogs, search crews, doctors and radiation-neutralizing equipment.

The first C-17 mission lifted off from Los Angeles just hours after the disaster with a search-and-rescue team on a direct flight to quake-stricken northern Japan, using a flying tanker to refuel mid-air during the trip over the Pacific Ocean, Air Force officials said.

Another mission left March 13 from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Both jets landed at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan, one of the hardest-hit regions.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott West, who departed March 12 from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, said at least 25 airmen were headed to Yokota Air Base with supplies that included several large generators for use in disaster zones without electricity.

"The (Japanese) are resilient and capable," West said in a statement released by the Air Force. "But we'll be there so long as our allies ask us to."

On March 14, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced one of his nation's fleet of four C-17s was en route to Japan loaded with fresh water and an urban search-and-rescue team with dogs.

"In the last 24 hours (the Japanese Government) accepted our offer of assistance for the C-17 aircraft which is on the ground in Japan," Rudd told Australian press. "It has itself (Monday) flown two sorties for the Japanese government ... and we've been transporting all sorts of land vehicles for the Japanese as well as large supplies of fresh water."

Rudd said the search-and-rescue team was "on the ground in one of the most devastated towns called Minamisanriku."

The C-17 has played a growing role in global disaster relief operations in recent years, bringing rapid aid to such catastrophes as the Haiti quake, Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Pakistan floods and the recent temblor in New Zealand.

Designed to take off and land on short, unpaved runways and run on bio-fuel derived from animal fat, the hulking jet can carry cars, trucks, tanks, a fully equipped field hospital, flying medical emergency room or up to 102 people.

First built in 1993, more than 220 C-17s have been built for the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Qatar and a NATO-led force based in Hungary.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and India have also ordered C-17s, which are built at California's last fixed-wing aircraft production plant next to Long Beach Airport.

The Japanese temblor, which is being referred to as the Great Earthquake, struck on the afternoon of March 11 off the coast of northern Japan, triggering a huge tsunami, damaging four nuclear power plants and wrecking a major seaport in the city of Sendai.

In addition to the C-17s, dozens of nations are sending medical personnel, cash, nuclear specialists, tents, food, water and other needed supplies.

The U.S. has deployed nine Navy ships to help in the relief effort and work with British and Japanese engineers and nuclear physicists at the power plants, where radiation leaks have been detected.

Facts about Boeing's C-17

Built in Long Beach, the C-17 is one of the world's largest and most diverse cargo jets, capable of landing and taking off on unpaved runways as short as 3,500 feet long and 90feet wide.

In addition to hauling supplies like trucks, food pallets, search-and-rescue teams and medical gear, the C-17 can be converted into a flying medical emergency room with 12 patient kits.

Passenger capacity: 102

Length: 174 feet; 169-foot wingspan

Crew: Pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster

Payload (maximum): 170,900 pounds

Range: 2,400 nautical miles, with midair refueling capabilities

Cruising altitude: 28,000 feet

Cruising speed: 450 knots

Power: Four Pratt and Whitney jet engines capable of 40,440 pounds of thrust

Price: $250 million (average)

Loading system: Cargo is loaded through a rear door accommodating troops, military vehicles, palletized cargo or rapid-deployment field hospital.

(Kristopher Hanson - Press Telegram)

Tuesday 1-25-11

Boeing C-17 09-9207 (P-207) did a brake test at 10:45am and then departed at 10:59am on a test flight.

Boeing plans to cut 900 from local C-17 workforce

LONG BEACH - Stung by dwindling domestic demand and efforts to slow production, Boeing said it plans to cut 900 more workers from its local C-17 workforce by late 2012.

The downsizing, announced late Wednesday, is the latest in a series of reductions to Long Beach's once-mighty aerospace industry, where employment has dropped from more than 20,000 in the 1990 s to less than 7,000 today.

And it comes on the heels of a painful year in which more than 1,000 local Boeing jobs were outsourced, transferred or simply cut amid a company-wide restructuring program.

About 200 positions at C-17 sub-assembly plants in Georgia, Arizona and Missouri will also be eliminated by late 2012.

Boeing said the cuts are needed to prepare for a reduced C-17 production schedule, which is 14 annually, to 10 beginning this summer.

"This has been a very difficult position, no question about it," said Bob Ciesla, C-17 program manager. "I've been working on the C-17 for 20 years and I personally know a lot of the great people who work on this (jet), so it's weighing heavily on me. But it's simply something that needed to be done."

Ciesla said cuts would be made "across the board," and include assembly workers, accountants, mid-level management, engineering and research, among other areas.

"Reducing the number of C-17 s we delivery every year - and doing that with a smaller workforce - will allow us to keep the production line open beyond 2012, protect jobs and give potential customers more time to finalize their airlift requirements," Ciesla said.

Affected workers will receive 60-day notices beginning Friday, with layoffs staggered monthly through late 2012.

Ciesla estimates about 400 will be let go this year, followed by 500 in 2012.

Stan Klemchuck, president of United Aerospace Workers Local 148, which represents about 1,700 workers in Long Beach, said employees received news of the intended layoffs Wednesday afternoon.

"People are obviously devastated," Klemchuck said. "Between this and recent layoffs at the (Carson) warehouse facility, it's been overwhelming. The jobs are just drying up."

Mayor Bob Foster released the following statement on the layoffs announcement:

"The C-17 program is an important economic asset for the State, the region, and the City. While Boeing's announcement today is difficult and disconcerting, it is not entirely unexpected, as the Federal government has decreased orders for this workhorse aircraft.

"Our rich history of aerospace manufacturing makes this an emotional day for Long Beach, as the C-17 plant is the last of what was previously a robust aerospace manufacturing industry in California. The impacts from these reductions will affect the State and the region, and is not constrained only to Long Beach," Foster said.

"We will continue our efforts to support Boeing in generating additional orders to preserve the thousands of jobs that remain, and our Workforce Investment Board will commit resources to assist affected employees during this difficult period."

Boeing, the city's largest private employer, announced cutbacks come in the wake of recent plans to transfer 800 engineering and research position to Oklahoma by year's end and close a parts and supply warehouse in Carson this summer.

Boeing said it's closing the 300,000-square-foot Carson site after nearly 20 years to save money, and will be outsourcing the work to a contractor in Santa Fe Springs.

More than 160 jobs are affected by the plant closure.

Boeing said that where possible, affected employees will be offered positions elsewhere in the company.

Layoff counts may also be reduced through attrition and retirement, though it remains to be seen how many people will volunteer for an early exit.

The latest round of cuts will bring Boeing's C-17 production payroll to about 2,800 by late 2012, from the current 3,700 employees.

Another 3,500 work in Long Beach in Boeing sales, marketing, research, design and other programs, with an additional 1,000 or so employed at the company's satellite facility in Seal Beach.

The C-17 has been widely popular since production began in 1993. The U.S. Air Force has purchased 206 to date, with others owned by Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

India and Kuwait have placed orders for a combined 11 C-17 s, and Boeing is reportedly talking with other nations that include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman and South Africa.

If approved as expected in coming months, the deal with India's Air Force should keep Long Beach's C-17 production line humming through 2013 - only with a reduced workforce.

(Kristopher Hanson - Press Telegram)

Wednesday 1-12-2011

There is a Royal Air Force C-17 parked at Signature that arrived yesterday and I was told it arrived around 4:15pm.

Gulfstream Aerospace G650 N650GD (c/n 6004) departed at 7:57am for Bob Hope (KBUR).

Thursday 12-16-10

National Cargo DC-8-63 arrived at 9:57am from Willow Run (KYIP) as NCR865 and parked at Signature.

MP Aviation LLC 727-21 N30MP (c/n 18998/239) arrived from Ontario Intl (KONT) at 10:50am and parked at AirFlite.

A C-17 took off at 11:54am on a test flight.

Wednesday 12-15-10

Another Travis AFB C-17 did three missed approaches between 12:39pm and 1:05pm.

The Coast Guard C-130 that was parked at Signature departed at 1:38pm.

Tuwsday 12-14-10

A C-17 from Travis AFB did 3 missed approaches between 12:45pm and 1:17 pm.

USAF releases C-17 crash report, video

The USAF has release the crash report and video to the only C-17 fatal crash. C-17A 00-0173 (P-73) "Spirit of the Aleutians" crashed on July 28, 2010 killing all crew members on board. The report can be seen here: http://www.pacaf.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101211-002.pdf

Here is the video:

RAF C-17 departs LGB

Royal Air Force C-17A (P-227) ZZ177 (the 7th RAF C-17) departed at 10:10am and left the gear down as it circled the airport and did a fly by. During the fly by the gear was tucked up and the crew did a wing wave.

Updates for July 16-20

A C-130 landed at 7:30pm on 7/16 and parked at Signature. The plane departed at 8:24am on 7/19.

Boeing C-17 08-8200 (P-200) departed on 7/20 at 1:41pm on its first flight. The plane returned later in the afternoon. This plane will be delivered to McGuire AFB.

Raytheon 727-223 (c/n 22467/1765) N289MT arrived from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) at 12:05pm on 7/20 and parked at Signature. The plane performed about 5 noise test flights before departing back to LAX later that afternoon.

The Bahrain Amiri Flight 747-4P8 (c/n 33684/1324) A9C-HMK arrived from Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (KPHX) where it had done 3 missed approaches. The 747 performed three missed approaches at LGB before returning to Victorville (VCV/KVCV) where the airplane originated from. Interesting enought the plane used a Fed Ex call sign. The flight number was FDX9091. Maybe Bahrain bought the antimissle system from Fed Ex and they were testing it on the plane? Who knows.

Union negotiators recommend C-17 workers approve Boeing contract

LONG BEACH - Negotiators representing striking C-17 workers are urging members to approve a new contract proposal and end a nearly month-long walkout at Boeing's last major production facility in California.

Nine of the ten negotiators involved in talks for a labor contract covering about 1,700 workers in Long Beach and Carson have called for ratification in a vote scheduled Wednesday.

If approved, workers would end all picketing and return to the job Thursday, resuming production on a jet widely used to deliver military and humanitarian goods across the globe.

Representatives of the United Aerospace Workers, which initiated the strike May 11, said the new 58-month contract is an improvement over the deal rejected by 80 percent of its members in early May.

They promised to return to work Thursday if more than 50 percent of workers approve the plan.

"(Boeing) and the union will work together to resume daily operations at Boeing Long Beach and ensure a smooth and safe return to work for all employees at the site," union leaders said in a statement. "Upon ratification...the union will terminate its strike and picketing against the company, as well as all actions intended to negatively influence the company's relationships with customers, investors, educational institutions, government and community officials, and regulatory agencies."

Boeing and the union resumed talks under supervision by a federal mediator on June 3 after weeks of stalemate.

Workers walked off the job in a dispute over healthcare and pension benefits, which were revised in two days of talks overseen by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an officially neutral agency often called in to help end labor disputes.

Under the new plan, workers would get a $4,000 payment in lieu of a raise this year, followed by 3 percent annual raises in the following years. Basic retirement benefits would also increase, from $79 under the previous plan to $81 monthly for each year with the company or its predecessor, McDonnell Douglas.

Employee contributions to healthcare plans were also reduced, from a proposed 15 percent to 13 percent, beginning in 2014.

The deal also extends by 12 months the length of the contract, an indication the company is secure that foreign orders will keep production humming well into the decade.

"We're hoping to see, and we have seen, a lot of interest in international orders, and we further hope to be building this aircraft for a long time to come," said Cindy Anderson, a Boeing spokeswoman.

Congress is currently considering a request by the Indian Air Force to purchase 10 C-17s, and further interest is rumored among U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia, Japan and Pakistan.

The United States Air Force operates more than 190 of the massive jets, and several more are owned by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Qatar and a NATO-led force based in Hungary.

The jets are used primarily to deliver supplies and troops to military bases and aid zones across the world, but can be quickly converted to airlift wounded soldiers and disaster victims.

The C-17's massive cargo space is also used to transport the presidential limousine, and is currently being used to ferry oil booms and cleanup materials to assist in the oil spill devastating the Gulf of Mexico.

Wednesday's vote is scheduled from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the union's hall in Lakewood.

(Kristopher Hanson - Press Telegram)

Boeing suspends C-17 production in wake of strike

LONG BEACH - Production of Boeing's C-17 cargo jet has been indefinitely suspended after workers walked off the job early Tuesday in a dispute over pension and medical benefits.
Some 1,700 line workers began a strike just past midnight, surrounding the plant with hundreds of picket signs a week after workers overwhelmingly rejected Boeing's "best and final" deal for a new 46-month contract.

"We strongly believe the company's offer was unethical and disrespectful, and while we didn't prefer a strike, the members are strongly behind it if that's what it takes," said Stan Klemchuk, president of United Aerospace Workers Local 148, which represents the striking workers. "A strike is a lose-lose for everybody, but the pension and medical issue is simply too important to let go."

Boeing management said the plant's roughly 3,000 other workers reported as usual, but the sprawling production floor next to Long Beach Airport will remain dark until the dispute is resolved.

"We will be deploying our contingency plans that we have in place in the event of a strike," said Boeing spokeswoman Cindy Anderson. "Company facilities will remain open and all employees (except strikers) will be expected to report to work unless otherwise notified."

Boeing said C-17 suppliers in 43 states, including California, are not yet being affected, though a prolonged strike - believed to be more than 90 days - could force some to limit or halt production.

Still, suppliers have "a long lead time," Anderson said, though a specific time frame was not given.

Workers remain hopeful that negotiations will be renewed in coming days, but say they're prepared to wait it out. Striking workers are being paid reduced wages and benefits by the union.

"We're hoping this doesn't drag on too long, and we'd like to go back to building the planes as soon as possible, but we won't go back to the table as long as the company isn't willing to make some movement," Klemchuk said.

Many workers, whose average age is 55, say they're fighting to preserve existing retirement benefits.

"This is about our future," said Reni Nevels, a 25-year veteran. "We've put years of blood, sweat and tears into this plant, many of us going back to the McDonnell Douglas days, and we feel we've sacrificed through our careers for the promise of a decent retirement."

Boeing purchased the plant from McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s.

Workers here have built more than 200 C-17s for the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and a NATO-led air force involved in humanitarian missions. The Indian Air Force is also currently pursuing the purchase of 10 C-17s for military and relief efforts, and several other countries, including Saudi Arabia, are rumored to be interested in purchases.

Boeing has called upon a federal labor mediator to help arbitrate between the parties, though no formal talks have yet been scheduled.

The C-17 plant has not experienced a strike since its inception in the early 1990s, though other Boeing plants have been targeted frequently in recent years.

An eight-week walkout by 27,000 workers outside California in 2008 caused delays in research and production of Boeing's massive Dreamliner 787 jet and an updated version of its popular 747, but the company still managed a $1.31 billion profit in 2009.

The strike comes at a time of uncertainty surrounding the C-17 s future. The Pentagon has stopped new orders, and President Barack Obama specifically targeted the plane for defense budget cuts in his proposed 2010 budget.

Boeing plans to end production in mid-2013, though foreign orders could extend the line well past mid-decade.

The $250 million C-17 has become a workhorse for some of the globe's largest militaries, hauling vehicles, troops and supplies to battle zones across the world.

And it has also become a staple vehicle in relief efforts, ferrying tons of medical supplies, food, water and other relief items to disaster zones including Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and most recently, quake-stricken Haiti.

(Press Telegram - Kristopher Hanson)

Wednesday 5-5-10

Boeing C-17A 08-8198 (P-198) arrived from a test flight at 5:05pm.

Qatar C-17A A7-MAB (F-209) departed at 5:07pm.

McChord C-17 delivers

C-17A 08-8197 (P-197) took off at 9:32am and performed a flyby. The pilot started the flyby with the landing gear down and pulled the gear up while doing a wing wave.

Monday 4-12-10

Qatar Air Force C-17 A7-MAB (c/n F-209) arrived at 1:20pm and parked under the tower by building 98.