More C-17s could be headed to Travis AFB

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Printed on: Tue, Nov 29, 2005

More C-17s could be headed to Travis AFB
By Ian Thompson


FAIRFIELD - Efforts to get more C-17 Globemaster IIIs built could increase the chances of seeing more of the new military jet transport stationed at Travis Air Force Base.

A contingent of Santa Barbara city officials are lobbying in Washington, D.C., to get contracts funded to build 42 more C-17s, which would be assembled at the Boeing plants in Santa Barbara.

This follows two weeks after a Senate vote that gives the Air Force the green light to buy 42 more of the airlifters, bringing the future C-17 fleet from 180 to 222 aircraft.

'We have pretty high confidence that if this is granted, a second squadron at Travis would be likely,' said Fairfield City Manager Kevin O'Rourke, who is also the Travis Community Consortium's director.

The Air Force has stated it is too early to say where such additional aircraft would go if the funds are approved. That would have to be compared against what the service's needs are.

Travis is preparing to receive a squadron of 13 C-17s, which would start arriving next year. The work on the buildings and services needed to support them are already under way.

The Senate voted on Nov. 10 to allow the Air Force to buy 42 more C-17 Globemaster III jet transports and recommended the Department of Defense reassess the need for more transport aircraft, according to an Air Force Times article.

This move doesn't require the Air Force to ask for the additional C-17s and it doesn't include any funding to pay for their construction.

It does promote keeping the production lines at Boeing plants open through 2012, instead of 2008, which was"