Topeka – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback issued the following statement after the U.S. Air Force announced today that it will award  its $35 billion contract to build a new fleet of military air tankers to Boeing Company.

“I have been waiting a decade to say this – Congratulations Boeing workers!  This is a great day for the company, its employees as well as for our country’s economy and for Kansas.  The U.S. Air Force’s decision to award its $35 billion contract to Boeing is the type of economic growth government can provide to get the U.S. and our state back on the road to economic recovery with good jobs.

I commend the Air Force for keeping the production of this vital program in the United States.  It ensures the world’s newest and most capable tanker will be built by Americans for our American warfighters.  I am very pleased the tankers will be built here in Kansas by the highly skilled and motivated Wichita area workforce.  This is great news for American jobs and for American security.”

Boeing announced last spring Kansas would benefit from approximately 7,500 jobs and an estimated $388 million in annual economic impact if the Boeing NewGen Tanker was selected as the U.S. Air Force’s next aerial refueling aircraft.