Boeing To Move 707 Air Force One To Reagan Library
ST. LOUIS, March 21, 2003 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today the disassembly of a historic Boeing 707 that flew for 28 years in presidential service as an Air Force One. Used extensively by President Ronald Reagan during his eight years in the White House, this famous airplane will be moved to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. where it will take up permanent residency. Boeing, California's largest private employer and manufacturer of the Boeing 707, has agreed to lead Operation Homeward Bound, and move the airplane from San Bernardino (Calif.) International Airport to the Reagan Library at its request. Boeing will supply all necessary resources equipment, tools, technical expertise and labor throughout the process to disassemble, transport and reassemble the aircraft, Tail Number 27000, when it arrives at the Reagan Library. The airplane is expected to arrive late summer 2003 and be on public display by late 2004. We look forward to beginning our partnership with the Reagan Foundation on Operation Homeward Bound, said Rudy deLeon, senior vice president for Boeing Washington,D.C. Operations. The Boeing Company is very proud to have presidential aircraft in our fleet, and we're happy to assist in this historic project. John Bouza, director of production operations for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems in Long Beach, has been named to lead Operation Homeward Bound for the Boeing team. We want to ensure that the airplane is disassembled, moved and reassembled to museum quality, and that the finished project reflects the pride that The Boeing Company and its employees have toward this airplane and its significance to America's heritage, Bouza commented. Besides supporting the Reagan presidency, the aircraft also flew in service to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, elder George Bush, Clinton and current President George W. Bush. One of its missions was flying former President Reagan home to California after he left office in January 1989. I know my husband shares in my gratitude and pride to have a great American company like Boeing as part of our team, said former First Lady Nancy Reagan. The Reagan Foundation received the aircraft in a decommissioning ceremony from the United States Air Force on September 8, 2001. Boeing also built the two current Air Force One aircraft, 747-200s, which transport the President around the world in an in-air operations center, as well as C-32s (commercially known as 757s) that transport the vice president and other senior U.S. government officials. The Boeing Company is the world's leading aerospace company, with its heritage mirroring the history of flight. It is the largest manufacturer of satellites, commercial jetliners, and military aircraft. The company is also a global market leader in missile defense, human space flight, and launch services. In terms of sales, Boeing is the largest U.S. exporter. Total company revenues for 2002 were $54 billion. In California, Boeing employs more than 36,000 workers who, along with the Company, contributed more than $8.8 million in cash, surplus equipment and in-kind services to California communities and more than 26,000 hours to community and educational volunteer activities in 2002. |
