By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Aircraft maker Boeing marked a milestone today. Boeing and its predecessor company McDonnell Douglas, have been in St. Louis for 70 years.
At a celebration with workers and elected officials today, Boeing touted its history of producing military aircraft and weapons. And the president and CEO of Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems, Jim Albaugh, took the opportunity to thank the St. Louis region, which he says has been very good to the company.
"You've provided our employees with a great place to live, to work and to raise families. And in some cases we have three generations of families working for this company. Your schools have produced outstanding engineers, technicians and machinists, Albaugh said. "You've made our company great."
Several speakers at today's celebration noted the importance of convincing the Pentagon to buy more F/A-18 Super Hornets, which Boeing makes in St. Louis, and C-17's, parts of which are manufactured locally.