Boeing Provides Training to NATO

The Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program will soon train C-17 aircrews at Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] C-17 International Training Centre (ITC) in the United Kingdom under a new $8 million contract.

SAC is comprised of ten NATO countries and two NATO Partnership for Peace countries. The program will begin training its multinational aircrews early this year. Prior to this contract, the SAC program sent aircrews to the United States for training.

“Boeing met the customer need to have access to affordable, high-quality training for aircrews from smaller countries with limited resources,” said Larry Sisco, C-17 training program manager. “Having regional training is a big cost and time savings for the SAC Program.”

As part of the contract, the U.S. Air Force inspected and recognized Boeing’s C-17 training simulators at the ITC as being fully able to train C-17 aircrews. The ITC houses a weapons systems trainer, loadmaster station and an integrated maintenance procedure trainer.
“The U.S. Air Force gave us their stamp of approval,” Sisco said. “They were thrilled with our simulator capability and how concurrent the simulators are with the C-17 aircraft.”

On behalf of the SAC program, the NATO Airlift Management (NAM) Programme Office requested this capability to meet the requirements of nations who make up this multinational program. In addition, the NAM Programme Office has ownership and is responsible for acquiring, managing and supporting NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability aircraft, including three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, that member nations can call upon to fulfill national operational needs.

“This contract to deliver training to NATO forces demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to the C-17 fleet and a truly global approach to our training service,” said Joanne Finch, head of Boeing Defense United Kingdom Training Systems and Government Services.”

2015 Northwest Aerospace & Defense Symposium

The 2015 Northwest Aerospace & Defense Symposium will increase your awareness of and ability to pursue current and upcoming defense, aerospace, and national security initiatives and contracts.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
• Moon Duk-ho, Consul General, Republic of Korea
• Pamela Munoz, Mission & Installation Contracting Director, JBLM 
• Katrina Jones, Defense Market Analysis Director, Aerospace Analytics
• Fred Smith, Mobility, Surveillance & Engagement, Boeing Military Aircraft
• Anthony Waas, Professor of Aerostructures, University of Washington
• J.J. Gertler, Defense Policy & Arms Control Manager, Congressional Research Svc.
• Jim Nam, International Security Cooperation, Planning, and Strategy, US Air Force
• Dr. Roger Myers, Executive Director, Advanced In-Space Programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne
• Col. Scott McLaughlin, Commander, 446th Airlift Wing
• Isaac Potoczny-Jones, Computer Security Research Lead, Galois
• Ron Stearns, Research Director, Aerospace Analytics 
• Lewis Hedge, First Secretary, Defense Acquisition Policy and Trade, British Embassy
• Chin Hsing (Andy Chin), Director-General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

May 28-29, 2015, JBLM
Hosted by PNDC  and PNAA
Register here!

Vintage Russian Plane Transits Tacoma

A rare World War II Russian attack plane rolled off a ship Thursday (Feb. 2) at the Port of Tacoma.

Among the last of its kind, the plane, called a "Shturmovik," will head by truck early next week to join the Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The aircraft is the only one of its type in flying condition.

The plane's fuselage and wings were transported on separate cargo trailers aboard the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics' Morning Composer. The plane flew to an airport near St. Petersburg late last year to be dismantled for shipment to Tacoma via Bremerhaven.

The Shturmovik (Russian for "storm bird"), was the nickname of the Ilyushin II-2, a two-person armored attack aircraft flown in World War II. The plane was produced in large volumes in the Soviet Union during the war and flew in combat on the Eastern Front against Nazi Germany.

This specific plane is made from parts discovered at a number of aircraft wrecks in the northwest regions of the former Soviet Union.

The plane will be re-assembled at Paine Field and put on display as part of a private collection owned by philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen.

About the Flying Heritage Collection Founded by Paul G. Allen, the Flying Heritage Collection contains rare and legendary World War II-era aircraft, many of which are the last of their kind. The collection is operated by Friends of Flying Heritage, a nonprofit organization committed to educating the public about these rare, historic aircraft. Learn more at www.flyingheritage.com.

The Chamber requested additional photos (below) from the Port of the port movement.  Article and photos reprinted with permission.

Rodeo International Teams Reception

The Air Mobility Command's Rodeo International Teams Reception was held for hundreds of competing and observing teams from around the world at the Foss Waterway Seaport. 

Airmen from Belgium, the Netherlands, Pakistan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Sweden are participating this year, while representatives from more than 20 other countries are observing the event, which kicked off on July 24 and runs through July 29. Among the observing nations are first-timers Algeria, Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.

The Chamber posted an album on Facebook, which is available linked here.

Boeing Tankers Enter Service

Boeing announced its first two KC-767 advanced aerial refueling tankers for the Italian Air Force (ItAF) formally entered into service May 17 during a public ceremony near Rome.

The ItAF accepted delivery of the two KC-767A tankers on Dec. 29 and March 10. Italian crews then flew the aircraft from Boeing's tanker modification facility in Wichita, Kan., to the Italian air base at Pratica di Mare.

"The configuration flexibility of the KC-767 tanker allows for simultaneous refueling and passenger and cargo transport, with the potential to operate in humanitarian response, disaster relief, and emergency aeromedical evacuation of personnel," ItAF officials said. "The KC-767 enables a unique and exceptional air projection capability, not only for Italy, but for all of NATO."

"This is a milestone event for the Italian Air Force as well as the members of Boeing’s International Tanker team," said Scott Wuesthoff, International Tanker program manager for Boeing. "The KC-767 tankers will significantly increase Italy's military capability as the country performs vital missions in support of NATO and regional interests. The deliveries also reaffirm Boeing's standing as the world’s leading provider of aerial refueling tankers."

Boeing is building four KC-767 Tanker Transport aircraft, designed for in-flight aerial refueling and strategic transport, to replace the ItAF B-707T/T fleet. Since their delivery, the first two KC-767 tankers have been engaged in aerial refueling training missions with ItAF crews in which they are successfully delivering fuel to an array of ItAF aircraft. Boeing and the ItAF are working together to enter the third KC-767 aircraft into the acceptance process for anticipated delivery this summer, with a fourth tanker to follow shortly thereafter. Upon receiving its fourth tanker, ItAF will declare Final Operational Capability.

The Italian Air Force KC-767A is a "convertible combi," meaning it can carry all passengers, all cargo, or a combination of passengers and cargo. In any configuration, the KC-767 has an aerial refueling boom with a remote aerial refueling operator station, as well as wing pod and centerline hose and drogue systems, and a refueling receptacle. This configuration allows for the refueling of all existing types of aircraft, both fighters and transports.

"The Italian Air Force KC-767A can be refueled by another tanker thanks to the refueling receptacle located on top of the aircraft near the cockpit, a feature that increases the tanker's already enviable operating capacity and range," ItAF officials said.

Boeing has been designing, building, modifying and supporting tankers for decades. These include four KC-767 tankers delivered to the Japan Air Self Defense Force, hundreds of KC-135 tankers delivered to worldwide customers, and a fleet of large KC-10 tankers delivered to the U.S. Air Force.

What Would Capt. Jack Do?

This is the sort of issue that puts the lie to traditional economists who say the military is simply a drain on national resources while accepting merchant security firms and loss prevention employment as contributors to the national GDP.

Belgium is offering military units to its merchant vessels off the Horn of Africa for C115,000 per week, challenging a global aversion to guns aboard merchant ships.

France has put troops on tuna boats in the Indian Ocean and US lawmakers are weighing similar action to fight piracy.

In June, the U.S. House passed HR 2647 that would require the DOD to put armed teams on US-flagged ships passing through high-risk waters, specifically around the Horn of Africa where Somali pirates have become a scourge of world shipping.

The amendment now goes to the Senate. A separate bill would grant immunity from prosecution in American courts to any “owner, operator, time charterer, master, or mariner who uses force, or authorizes the use of force, to defend a vessel of the United States against an act of piracy.”

Opponents fear such moves will escalate the violence and raise a thicket of legal issues for personal and corporate liabilities and national sovereignty.

UPDATE: Sept. 16.

Nations representing over 50% of the world's shipping tonnage today signed an anti-piracy agreement. Details here.

Wind Beneath Wings or Filling Sails

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Military Affairs Committee welcomes the 26 countries competing or observing the 2009 Air Mobility Command (AMC) Rodeo.

The International Icebreaker was hosted by community firms in the Working Waterfront Maritime Museum for the beginning of the AMC Rodeo hosted at McChord AFB.

See our slide show and video. You are welcome to enjoy this premier and fun event at the Foss Waterway Seaport.

Yen for a Buck or a Loon?

Get ready for the 2009 McChord Air Force Rodeo July 20-24. More than 3,500 international visitors will attend from over 20 countries. These teams and observers bring tremendous business opportunities to Pierce County. Keep business in Pierce County by offering your local promotional coupon and discount incentives.

International competitors include: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Spain, Turkey and United Arab Emirates

Observers include: Afghanistan, Argentina, Algeria, Bahrain, Botswana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman and Vietnam

Please take this opportunity to offer your coupons to guest registrants. The resulting compilation of promotional flyers will be distributed directly to participating teams during the AMC Rodeo. Last year's teams and observers made many purchases during their stay.

Examples of last year’s anecdotal purchases by participating international team members:

2 Hummers
6 laptops
7 i-Phones
15 TV’s ranging from 32-50 inches
More than 12 bicycles
Countless digital cameras and electronics
Several hundreds of bottles of perfume
Many shopping trips to Nordstrom

A 10-room hotel bill with expenditures over $11,000

To participate please create 3,500 coupons to be distributed in each registration bag. Coupons must be printed in sizes 8.5 X 11 and can include a coupon within the text, delivered to the TRCVB.

Coupon/Discount Deadline: June 30, 2009

Want to participate? Send your participation notice to Andrea Mensink. Promotional flyers should be delivered to the Tacoma Regional CVB at 1119 Pacific Ave., Ste. 500, Tacoma. You are responsible for printing your promotional coupon/discount offer. The TRCVB nor the Chamber will print coupons.

The TRCVB is collaborating with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, so if your business is a member of either/both organizations, your promotional flyer is in one booklet.

Ally Joint at the C-17

Boeing on Thursday announced a “major join” for Qatar’s first C-17. The airlifter will be delivered this summer.

There are currently 198 C-17s in service worldwide, 14 with international customers. The USAF (including active, Guard and Reserve) has 184.

International customers include the UK Royal Air Force, the Canadian forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability consortium (blogged earlier) and Partnership for Peace nations. The United Arab Emirates announced last month that it will acquire four C-17s.

'Major Join' Ceremony for 12-Nation Strategic Airlift Capability's 1st C-17

On March 13, Boeing marked the "major join" ceremony for the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) consortium's first C-17 Globemaster III, an acquisition of three C-17s, one of which will be provided by the United States.

During major join, the C-17 airlifter's four major sections -- the forward, center and aft fuselages and wing assembly -- are integrated, and the aircraft begins to look like a C-17 for the first time.

Hungary has agreed to both host the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) at Pápa Air Base, where a total of three C-17s will be based, and to register the aircraft under the Hungarian flag.

SAC includes 10 NATO nations -- Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, United States -- and Partnership for Peace members Sweden and Finland. They will share acquisition and operating costs for three C-17s over the nearly 30-year course of the agreement.

The C-17 is the only tactical aircraft capable of performing all SAC airlift missions, including strategic, tactical, military and humanitarian missions, as well as brigade airdrops, aeromedical evacuations, and landings and takeoffs from standard runways or austere airfields.