Alitalia Tailstrike (or not)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 18, 2011 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will showcase a wide variety of capabilities and technology solutions used by U.S. Army soldiers and allied defense forces around the globe at next week’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Winter Symposium and Exposition, Feb. 23-25 in Fort Lauderdale.

The capabilities to be featured at the Boeing exhibits and in presentations by company leaders include airlift and attack/reconnaissance platforms, Army modernization initiatives, unmanned systems, cybersecurity solutions, logistics support, and logistics command and control programs.

“Like our Army customer, the defense industry is becoming more adaptive and versatile in meeting the demands of the warfighter,” said Leo Brooks, Boeing vice president, National Security & Space Group. “Boeing’s goal, as always, is to provide warfighters with the best capabilities, systems and services to complete their assigned missions effectively, efficiently and safely.”

Boeing’s interactive indoor booth, 2223, will include a number of hands-on demonstrations and scale models. Featured solutions include Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization; the AH-64D Apache and AH-6 helicopters; C4ISR and cybersecurity solutions; the ScanEagle unmanned aerial system; and the Joint Tactical Radio System — Ground Mobile Radio.

The company’s outdoor display, 3323, will feature aircraft such as the CH-47F Chinook, A160T Hummingbird, and S-100 unmanned system; the Airborne Ground Surveillance trailer; the Avenger Adaptive Force Protection Solutions system; and the Mobile Guardian — Tactical Surveillance and Observation System.

“The outdoor display area at Winter AUSA is an excellent venue for our customers to see our products in person,” said Jamey Moran, Boeing vice president of Army Systems. “Whether it’s the Chinook, our unmanned systems, or new capabilities such as the Joint Recovery and Distribution System and the Avenger Adaptive Force Protection Solutions system, The Boeing Company’s commitment to the warfighter is paramount.”

Boeing’s online press kit at www.boeing.com/bds/mediakit/2011/ausa/ will be updated throughout the show with briefing presentations and schedule changes, if any. The site also contains program backgrounders, executive biographies and a link to high-resolution photos. Reporters may contact the media relations representatives listed below to schedule interviews with Boeing executives at the show.

The company will participate in a Ground Combat Vehicle media roundtable hosted by prime partner SAIC on Feb. 24 at 2:45 p.m. in the SAIC B2B suite (

Milestone Reached as RAAF F/A-18Fs Achieve Initial Operating Capability

AMBERLEY, Queensland, Jan. 6, 2011 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered four new F/A-18F Super Hornets to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley in December, expanding the RAAF’s fleet of the advanced multirole fighters to 15. The delivery enabled the RAAF’s achievement of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) with its first Super Hornet squadron, the Amberley-based No. 1.

Boeing has delivered all 15 Super Hornets to Australia ahead of schedule.

“Early delivery of our new Super Hornets at Amberley has been a vital part of our path toward IOC for our first Super Hornet squadron, which we have now achieved ahead of schedule,” said RAAF Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Officer Commanding 82 Wing, which operates the Super Hornet. “As we’ve continued to hit our marks on time — or early, in many instances — with the Super Hornet program, we’ve enabled the RAAF to ensure Australia’s regional air superiority as we transition from the F-111 and classic Hornet.”

The December arrival was the third Super Hornet delivery to the base during 2010. Three aircraft in the latest delivery were prewired for potential conversion to electronic attack capability during production at Boeing facilities in St. Louis; the remaining nine aircraft in the contract will be prewired in the same way before delivery to the RAAF’s No. 6 Squadron.

“The Boeing Super Hornet team has surpassed expectations by delivering 15 aircraft to the RAAF in 2010 instead of the 12 originally scheduled,” said Carolyn Nichols, Australian Super Hornet program manager for Boeing. “Additionally, each aircraft has been delivered within budget. We are fully committed to ensuring the same delivery success and budget excellence throughout 2011. We congratulate the men and women of the RAAF on the outstanding achievement of reaching No. 1 Squadron’s Super Hornet IOC ahead of schedule.”

The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 of the advanced Block II versions of the Super Hornet, all of which are equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

The Boeing Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 440 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule and on budget.

Order Includes 737-800s and 737-900ERs

NEW YORK and SEATTLE, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), and Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that CIT Aerospace placed an order for 38 Next-Generation 737 airplanes and purchase rights for seven additional 737s.

The order, with deliveries into 2017, includes 15 737-900ER (extended range) and 23 737-800 airplanes. It is the largest order placed by a leasing company for the 737-900ER, the largest and newest member of the Boeing Next-Generation 737 family. This is also the largest order placed by CIT for Boeing airplanes.

“This order of Next-Generation Boeing aircraft reflects our efforts to maintain one of the youngest and most technologically advanced fleets in the industry,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, president of Transportation Finance at CIT. “As a leading aircraft lessor, it is important that we continue to maintain a portfolio of operationally dependable and fuel-efficient aircraft for our customers.”

“CIT’s choice of the Next Generation 737 shows its confidence in the product family and especially in its newest member, the 737-900ER, which features incredible economics and operational capability,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “CIT is one of the leading companies in global transportation finance, and clearly recognizes the value that the Next Generation 737 will bring to its airline customers. CIT will be receiving its 737s with the innovative Boeing Sky Interior and other performance improvements that will keep its airplanes at the leading edge of passenger comfort, efficient operations and reduced fuel consumption.”

CIT owns or finances a fleet of more than 300 commercial aircraft. As of Sept. 30, 2010, CIT had 140 Boeing airplanes in its portfolio. With this new order, the company now has a total order book of 111 aircraft, of which 58 are Boeing.

CHICAGO, April 27, 2010 — The Boeing Company today named Pat Gaines as president of Boeing Korea, effective June 4.
In a move designed to continue the company’s success in Korea, Gaines will succeed Bill Oberlin, who will retire in July after 25 years with Boeing.

Gaines will lead Boeing’s enterprise-wide business in Korea, while strengthening the company’s local presence and finding new ways to pursue growth and productivity initiatives.

“Pat’s leadership experience in global business and operations align directly with our ongoing efforts to increase our presence and collaboration with customers, partners, communities and employees in Korea. In this regard he will be able to build on the solid foundation established by the excellent work Bill Oberlin has done in Korea,” said Shep Hill, president of Boeing International and Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy.

Gaines, a 23-year company veteran, joins Boeing Korea following a position in Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle, where he served as vice president of Customer Support for Asia-Pacific. He has extensive experience in global operations and led the efforts that established the joint venture between FlightSafety International and Boeing, now known as Boeing Training and Flight Services.

Oberlin came to Korea in 2002 as president of Boeing Korea. He joined Boeing in 1985 and was credited with sales of key Boeing products, such as CH-47 Chinook helicopters, F-15Ks and AEW&C Peace Eye aircraft, as well as commercial airplanes and related services to airline customers in Korea.

Oberlin was recognized in Korea for his contributions to the local business community as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (2003-2004 and 2007-2008) and as an executive member of the U.S.-Korea Business Council. He was an active proponent of the Korea-U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows qualified Korean nationals to travel to the U.S. visa free. Oberlin also worked to support the pending Free Trade Agreement between Korea and the U.S. In 2008, he was appointed to serve on the National Competitiveness Improvement Committee under the President of the Republic of Korea.

“Bill played a significant role in strengthening our presence and stakeholder relationships in the Republic of Korea. His representation of the company has been characterized by outstanding leadership, unquestioned integrity and demonstrated results,” added Hill. “Korea is an important market for Boeing and presents many opportunities for Boeing and Korea to work together in ways to advance our common interests. We have a solid business plan and a long-term view of the market, and we look forward to continuing the legacy of a true partnership between Boeing and our customers and partners in Korea.”

Gaines served in the U.S. military as an airborne ranger and a warrant officer pilot. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated with honors and a degree in Engineering.

Boeing shares a successful 50-year relationship with Korea. In 1988, Boeing opened an office in Seoul to work closely with Korean customers and partners. Today, more than 160 Boeing employees work across the country.