employees who’ve always sat together at lunch are continuing that tradition— even though there’s no food service available in the cafeteria now. Human Resources Generalist Darlene Duncan finds herself assisting employees whom she helped hire years ago as they now transition from the end of their jobs. She said she will miss the people on the program the most, echoing many of her co-workers. “The people here—we’ve been like a big family,” said Gregory Atkins, who helps install flight control systems in the C-17’s tail, a job that keeps him three stories above the factory floor much of the time. Several years ago, when he battled stomach cancer, his co-workers supported him during this difficult time by pulling together resources for him without telling him, he said. “The plane brought us together, it was our purpose. But what you enjoy is working with the people,” Litchard said. Ken Barry, chief architect for Avionics and Flight Controls, said he’s grateful to have been part of the C-17’s production run, adding that many people have been instrumental in the program’s success. And while no more are expected to be built beyond this year, he knows the aircraft has a long future ahead of it. “It’s not inconceivable this could be flying until 2060,” Barry said. “We like to say the last pilots who will fly this aircraft still haven’t been born yet.” n eric.c.fetters-walp@boeing.com Frontiers is interested in reader stories for future editorial use. Tell us about your own experience with the C-17 Globemaster III at boeingfrontiers@boeing.com. Photos: (From far left) Mechanic Gregory Atkins installs flight controls in a C-17’s tail; Mel Frontroy, a Final Assembly Interior mechanic, prepares to install a door on the forward fuselage of a C-17. March 2015 37
Frontiers March 2015 Issue
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