Boeing

The Boeing Company has named John Sams Jr. director of Field Services for the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifter.

Sams, 54, is responsible for deploying C-17 aircraft into the Air Force inventory and ensuring their support at operational locations -- currently bases at Charleston, S.C., Altus, Okla., and McChord, Wash.

Sams joins The Boeing Company following a 32-year career in the U.S. Air Force during which he accumulated more than 6,000 flying hours, including 100 missions in Vietnam piloting the C-7A Caribou. Among many notable assignments, Sams was vice commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and commanded the 15th Air Force at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. He retired from the Air Force last year at the rank of Lieutenant General.

Following a long military career with 25 family relocations, his posting at Charleston Air Force Base returns Sams to the South Carolina Lowcountry home of his alma mater, The Citadel, where he received a bachelor of arts degree and commission as a second lieutenant in 1967.

In his new position Sams will provide direct, on-site interface with the Air Force customer with full accountability for the successful support of America's newest airlifter. He succeeds James Kellim who recently retired.

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