Story Created:
Sep 13, 2010 at 5:39 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 13, 2010 at 6:17 PM CDT
In keeping with the theme of national aerospace week, public and private sector leaders discussed the importance of partnerships between air industry leaders.
Colonel Lawrence Gatti of the United States Air Force says Tinker Air Force Base plays a unique part in helping supprt the greater Oklahoma City area and the centralized air industry hub.
Officials estimate the base generates about $3 billion dollars annually, which directly impacts the city and residents.
“I can believe that the impact is large, not to mention the associations, contractors, and vendors that we attract because of the aircraft industry that we support,” said Gatti.
Gatti says the former GM Plant also known as Building 9001 is evidence of the working relationship civilians’ share with the base, as a number of the workers stationed to the building are civilains.
The complex is the new site for a machine and fabrication shop and could soon house a new software maintenance shop. Officials say keeping up with the wave of technology is essential for war fighting efforts, and that the new building helps that push.
Officials predict the building will host nearly three thousand employees upon completion next year.
