The Association of Washington Business (AWB), Washington's state chamber of commerce, the Washington Roundtable and more than 30 local chambers of commerce signed letters supporting Boeing's request for the Pentagon to reconsider awarding the aerial refueler tankers to Northrop, Grumman and EADS (Airbus). "From what we have limited information we've seen since the contract was awarded three weeks ago, we believe the Air Force and Washington's Congressional Delegation should look more deeply into the contract," AWB President Don Brunell said.
In a related move, Brunell and Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO) President Rick Bender co-signed a similar letter to Washington's Congressional Delegation and the Secretary of the AIr Force (Michael Wynne) supporting Boeing's request. That letter was presented at the rally in support of Boeing's request yesterday (March 19) in Everett.
Boeing believes there is enough conflicting information to merit reconsideration of the $35 billion deal contract to build 179 replacement tankers for Boeing's current KC135 which went into service during President Eisenhower's Administration. If reversed, the new tankers would be built on an 767 air frame assembled at the Paine Field plant near Everett and generate billions for the northwest's economy. If the current contract stands, the aircraft would be a modified Airbus A-330, much of which would be manufactured in Europe.
Don C. Brunell, President
