The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) urged support from the Congress of the continued use of the Boeing C-17 in military airlift operations. The C-17 is a vastly reliable aircraft that is the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force fleet and its production continues to be a vital part of the economy in the South Bay area and in 41 states across the U.S.

"The C-17 is at the forefront of U.S. military and humanitarian missions in all parts of the world and is the primary aircraft providing aero-medical evacuations of wounded soldiers from the battlefield to hospitals in Europe and the U.S.," stated Marcella Low, SBACC Chair. "The C-17 ranks among the world’s most reliable and cost efficient airlift aircraft," continued Low.

The C-17 program is an important economic driver with over 9,000 employees in Southern California and over 30,000 in 42 states nationally. The Boeing Company and its supplier partners on the program have an economic impact of $2.9 billion in California and of $7.9 billion nationally.

However, the C-17 program is in jeopardy of being terminated. SBACC is working to ensure the continued production of these airplanes through the following measures:

1. Procure 15 additional C-17s in FY09 Supplemental Defense Appropriation Bill
2. Urge Department of Defense to address growing airlift requirements by funding C-17s in FY10 budget and out years.