Senators seeking funds for C-17 aircraft

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A group of U.S. senators say Senate appropriators should approve funding for a dozen C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to avoid job cuts by Boeing Inc.

The Orange County (Calif.) Register reported Friday that unless the 13 senators can garner funds for 12 more of the military planes, Boeing will shut down its C-17 production line and cut 30,000 jobs in 43 U.S. states.

The senators, including California Democrats Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, said in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee the C-17s are vital to U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The senators also argue that without the continued federal funding, the shutting down of the C-17 line will mark the start of a decline in aerospace manufacturing and engineering in the United States.

The Register said $674 million has already been appropriated by the House for three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.