ROBINS GETTING MORE C-17 WORK
May 22, 2002
Originally published in The Telegraph

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE — Expect to see C-17 transport planes on a more regular basis on base.

Officials with the base and Boeing, which is building the Air Force's newest heavy-lift cargo jet, announced Tuesday that the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center will conduct more maintenance inspections on the plane, including inspection for corrosion and unanticipated wear and tear. Robins will also conduct the more-thorough "home-station checks" on the aircraft.

The previous agreement had Robins conducting inspections on three C-17s; the new contract gives Robins responsibility for inspection of four more planes, plus the home-station check. Officials could not immediately say how much the expanded contract is worth. No new jobs will be added, they said.

The added work, expected to keep at least one C-17 at Robins at all times, comes as the Air Force begins to retire the C-141 transport jet fleet, which is maintained at Robins.

"As the C-141 leaves, there certainly is room for it," said Rick Sanford, a Boeing spokesman. "And the Warner Robins ALC has the people trained for it."

Sanford and base boosters said the expanded contract bodes well for Robins. The Air Force owns 85 C-17s, and is scheduled to receive another 15 each year through 2008.

"As the fleet expands, so will that work," Sanford said. "This is not a short-term agreement."

For more information contact Pat Topping with Macon Economic Development Commission.

478-621-2030
P.O. Box 169
Macon, Georgia 31202