Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has delivered the second of three C-40C transport aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), providing a critical airlift asset to government leaders on official business.

Gen. Duncan McNabb, chief of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC), accepted the aircraft July 5 at Boeing facilities in Seattle and flew it to Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Ill., where it will begin service with the AFRC.

The 932^nd and 375^th Airlift Wings, units of the AFRC and AMC respectively, will use the Next-Generation 737-700 Boeing Business Jet derivative to provide congressional delegations and senior government personnel safe, secure and reliable transportation -- often to remote locations around the world -- while supporting their need to conduct in-flight business.

"With the kind of next-generation, multi-mission capability this beautiful airplane gives us, we not only can take great care of our distinguished visitors but also perform air evacuation, transport cargo or provide team travel if we need to," said McNabb. "It allows us the range and versatility we've always hoped for, and now the Boeing team has delivered those requirements in the size of platform we need."

Maureen Carlson, Boeing C-40C program manager, added, "In working together with our Commercial Airplanes unit and Mission Integration Center, we incorporated lessons learned on the first aircraft to deliver this second one in three months' less time. This will enable Gen. McNabb and our Air Mobility and Air Force Reserve customers to assure availability of a critical asset to our nation's leaders."

The modifications made to the aircraft include military avionics that augment the 737's commercial flight deck; satellite communications equipment for passenger use; a reconfigurable interior that comprises 40 business-class seats, two work areas with conference table or divan and accommodations for 11 crew members; and auxiliary fuel tanks that extend the aircraft's range to approximately 4,400 nautical miles.

The airplane joins a family of 17 C-40s already in service with the U.S. government: three C-40Cs with the Air National Guard at Andrews AFB, Md., as well as the one already delivered to AFRC at Scott AFB; four Air Force C-40Bs supporting the U.S. Combatant Commands at Andrews, Ramstein AFB, Germany, and Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and the U.S. Navy Reserve's nine C-40As stationed at Naval Air Stations North Island, Calif., Fort Worth, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla.