Boeing jobs to Oklahoma City from Long Beach in jeopardy

In a newly released position paper, “Air Force Priorities for a New Strategy with Constrained Budgets,” the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program is targeted as one of several “expensive” operations that can be replaced with “more affordable alternatives that still accomplish the mission.”

The C-130 and B-1 programs are being moved from Long Beach to Oklahoma City, with 232 of the 550 jobs attached to the C-130 program.

Officials with Boeing on Thursday released a statement confirming current work on the C-130 program has been put on hold, but they have not yet been notified that the entire contract is terminated.

About 110 of the 232 positions in Oklahoma City have already been filled with either transfers or new hires.

“The U.S. Air Force has notified Boeing of a postponement to the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program's Initial Operational Test & Evaluation at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. that was to begin on Jan. 17,” Boeing officials said in a statement to The Oklahoman. “The U.S. Air Force also notified Boeing that after the fifth C-130 AMP is delivered from Warner Robins to Little Rock in February 2012 future inductions are on hold. We have been told that additional information will be shared after the President's 2013 budget is published.”