Bracing for C-17 loss

A meeting of C-17 employees is scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday at Boeing's Long Beach facilities, union officials told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. That will surely add to the speculation that the Chicago-based aircraft maker is ready to call it quits on the cargo plane. As noted this morning, BusinessWeek was reporting that lacking a commitment to build more planes, the company would soon notify suppliers that it will stop making the C-17. Despite efforts by the local Congressional delegation, it looks like no new funding will be earmarked for the plane. The Pentagon has wanted to phase out the C-17 for some time.