OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Boeing Co. has formally opened its new facility in Oklahoma City where it will upgrade and modernize U.S. Air Force aircraft.
Gov. Mary Fallin joined company officials Thursday in opening the facility where B-1 and C-130 aircraft are being modernized with upgrades to the cockpits. Modernization programs also include the B-52, E-4B, E-6, C-32 and C-40 aircraft.
Boeing plans to bring about 1,000 new jobs to the city with the new plant.
The C-130 upgrades were to be eliminated under a proposed federal budget earlier this year. A defense funding bill in the U.S. House would prohibit ending the upgrades until 180 days after an analysis comparing the cost of the upgrades versus the cost of keeping the C-130s effective without the upgrade.