WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 11, 2012

An Air Force KC135 refueled does touch and go landings on a runway behind the Boeing plant in southeast Wichita Wednesday. The Boeing plant bumps up to the airstrip run by McConnell Air Force Base. The Boeing plant is located in southern Wichita. They own 96 buildings that they use to work on airplanes.
The city of Wichita, KS is tied closely to the aircraft industry. Over the past century, Wichita has been the home to most of the large aviation manufacturers. Some people equate Wichita and aviation to Silicon Valley and the computer chip. However, over the past three years Wichita has seen many layoffs in the aircraft sector including the most recent news by Boeing that they will be leaving the city for good after over 8 decades of doing business in the city.