Boeing Co. and Northrup Grumman Corp. each emerged from a key meeting with Pentagon officials on Tuesday saying they were pleased with progress on the U.S. Air Force tanker contract, even as speculation mounted that Boeing may drop out of the competition. Tuesday’s meetings were held to discuss the Air Force’s proposed ground rules for the second contest. Newly appointed Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz told the Associated Press that the service is eager to begin work on the new planes and hoped to avoid an "indefiinite delay in action" on the new tanker.  If successful, Northrop and EADS plan to assemble their KC-30 tankers in a $600 million plant at the Brookley Field Industrial Complex in Mobile, creating 1,500 jobs.  - Excerpted from article in The Mobile Press-Register, George Talbot, Political Editor 8/13/2008

Let’s keep thinking positive thoughts - c’mon Pentagon! These 1,500 new jobs would greatly impact Mobile’s economy and boost the local real estate market.

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