"The Boeing Millville team is proud to
have delivered 100 modified Chinooks to the Army
on time, using efficient, cost-saving processes,"
said Peri Widener, Boeing vice president of Rotorcraft
Support. "The modification work on new F-model
Chinooks gives soldiers in the field the most
advanced equipment possible without taking aircraft
out of service at the unit or in theater."
"In just over two years since this facility
opened its doors, we are marking completion of
our 100th Chinook helicopter locally, thanks to
outstanding cooperation among Boeing, the U.S.
Army, the Delaware River & Bay Authority and
the city of Millville," said U.S. Rep. Frank
LoBiondo (NJ-02), a member of the House Armed
Services Committee. "I am proud to celebrate
this milestone for high-tech industry in New Jersey."
Boeing opened the Millville facility in February
2010 after signing a five-year lease for hangar
space with the Delaware River & Bay Authority
at the Millville Municipal Airport.
After the Army takes delivery of the Chinooks
from the Boeing production line in Philadelphia,
the aircraft are flown to Millville, where Boeing
structural and electrical employees make avionics
and airframe modifications to support new, special
Army requirements.
"The Millville Modification Center is critical
in providing modifications to the CH-47F prior
to delivering the aircraft to Army units,"
said Lt. Col. Brad Killen, CH-47F product manager
for the Army.
Boeing modifies the helicopters under an Initial
Production and Fielding Support contract that
also includes training support on the upgrades
for Army Chinook units. Boeing deploys two New
Equipment Training teams, consisting of CH-47F
mechanics and technicians, to support Army units
around the world.
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