09 Sep 04. In reply to a Parliamentary Question as to when the Typhoon would enter service at RAF Leeming, the Armed Forces’ Minister replied: “The first two Typhoon bases will be RAF Coningsby and RAF Leuchars, the stations from which the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) aircraft currently operate. No decision has been taken on a third Typhoon base.” (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS Issue 04/36 Sep 04) Comment: On 15 Dec 03 the Defence Secretary had told the same questioner (Miss A C B McIntosh MP) that Leeming would be the second base for Typhoon, after Coningsby and before Leuchars, and that aircraft would be arriving at the Station “around 2007”. ‘RAF News’ (16 Apr 04) was clear that: “Current plans envisage 232 Typhoons equipping seven front-line RAF Squadrons and an Operational Conversion Unit at three RAF Stations by the end of the decade.”. It appears disingenuous for the Minister now to state that no decision has been taken on a third base (unless, as many speculate, the UK will not procure 232 aircraft or have seven Squadrons). [See also Item 7.]
20 Sep 04. Aerospace Products International Inc., a subsidiary of First Aviation Services, Inc. announced the appointment of David S. Currence as Chief Information Officer.
22 Sep 04. Sources suggest that Chris Chambers, former Managing Director of Multidrive has accepted a post with Stewart & Stevenson in Texas
16 Sep 04. Northrop Grumman’s Board of Directors has elected C. Michael Petters as corporate vice president and president of the company’s Newport News sector, succeeding Thomas C. Schievelbein, 51, who has elected to take early retirement. Petters will assume his new position on Nov. 1, 2004. He will report to Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman’s chairman, chief executive officer and president.
15 Sep 04. BAE Systems has appointed Lee H. Hamilton to its North America Board of Directors. In this role, he will provide guidance and expertise on BAE Systems North America’s strategic objectives. Hamilton, currently president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, joins the BAE Systems North America Board of Directors after serving 34 years as a member of the U.S. Congress, Ninth District, Indiana. He served as Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Chair of the Joint Economic Committee. Hamilton most recently served as vice chair of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission).