03.29.02

Senator Cantwell's Statement on Air Force Decision on Boeing Tankers

SEATTLE, WA- The U.S. Air Force today announced that Boeing has won the U.S. Air Force's Air Refueling Tanker Request for Information process. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement:

"Boeing is superior in air refueling and the Air Force's decision confirms this fact. The Washington delegation was correct in arguing that Boeing's advanced technology makes this a smart purchase.

"Since the 1950's, Boeing has been the world's leader in air tankers and today's announcement solidifies its superiority. This is another milestone in Boeing's record of outstanding efforts to meet our national security needs.

"This contract will keep Boeing workers on the production line at a time when the state's economy needs it most. At its peak, the production of 767s would increase by 50 percent from current levels. According to Boeing, it will employ 2,400 directly and result in 5,500 additional indirect jobs. This is a win for men and women who make Boeing a success and I congratulate them."