CHICAGO, April 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA]
today completed another COVID-19 transport mission, using a Boeing
Dreamlifter to bring personal protective equipment (PPE) from
Hong Kong to the United States. Working in partnership with
Prisma Health, Atlas Air Worldwide and Discommon Founder
Neil Ferrier, the company transported 1.5 million medical-grade
face masks bound for healthcare professionals at Prisma Health in
South Carolina.
Discommon, the importer of record for the delivery, secured
production of the PPE from trusted manufacturers in China and turned to Boeing to facilitate their
transport to Prisma Health, the largest healthcare system in
South Carolina. Boeing donated the
cost of the mission transport, with Atlas Air operating the flights
on behalf of Boeing.
The Dreamlifter, a converted Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo
Freighter, flew from Hong Kong to
Greenville, South Carolina, with
the face masks in its lower lobe. Following the delivery, the
Dreamlifter will return to its home base in North Charleston, South Carolina, and deliver
787 Dreamliner parts in support of the global aerospace supply
chain.
Boeing continues to support local communities and the
heroic healthcare professionals working tirelessly to stop the
spread of COVID-19. Additional airlift transport missions with the
Boeing Dreamlifter and ecoDemonstrator are planned in the future.
Boeing is coordinating closely with U.S. government officials on
how to best assist areas with the greatest need.
Leadership Support
"Ten years ago, Boeing came to South
Carolina – investing a significant amount of resources in
our economy and creating jobs for our people. Today, Boeing is
making another significant investment in our state by partnering
with other South Carolina
businesses to help combat this deadly virus. South Carolinians are
unique in their compassion and care for one another. The businesses
that have collaborated to make this delivery possible are an
embodiment of those qualities, and we owe a debt of gratitude to
each of them." – South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster
"We owe it to our men and women on the front lines of our
healthcare system to have the necessary resources to fight the
COVID-19 virus. I want to thank Prisma Health, Discommon, Atlas Air
and Boeing for stepping up to facilitate this important shipment of
medical masks to South Carolina."
– Sen. Lindsey Graham
"Battling COVID-19 has required an unprecedented response from
all levels of government, the private sector, and American
families. One of the most significant challenges facing communities
across the country is ensuring our front-line healthcare workers
have enough Personal Protective Equipment so they can both treat
patients and keep themselves healthy. This public-private
partnership between the White House, Boeing, Discommon and Atlas
Air has cut through supply issues and red tape to bring 1.5 million
medical-grade masks to South
Carolina and will go a long way towards keeping our medical
professionals safe. I offer my sincerest gratitude to all
involved." – Sen. Tim Scott
"Today's delivery of medical masks for Prisma Health is
tremendous news! The entire Palmetto State is thankful to Boeing,
Atlas Air, and Discommon Concepts for making this shipment a
reality in order to equip our medical personnel during these
unprecedented times. It's partnerships like these led by companies
in South Carolina that will ensure
we are fully prepared to defeat COVID-19." – Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
"Today, we proudly welcome Boeing and Atlas Air to Greenville. When I was first approached by
Discommon in Greenville, I knew
these masks would make a huge difference for our healthcare workers
at Prisma Health, who are on the front lines fighting the COVID-19
pandemic. We immediately got to work to make this happen. Today's
delivery showcases the good that can be done when businesses,
non-profits, and the government join together. This PPE will go a
long way for folks here in the Upstate and across the Midlands." – Rep. William Timmons (SC-04)
"It's a win-win for South
Carolina healthcare providers and a perfect example of
private companies working with elected officials to help healthcare
workers and the people they serve. We very much appreciate Boeing's
support during these challenging times of securing necessary
supplies. By standing together, we all stand stronger. In
recognition of Boeing's delivery of our supplies, we are donating
100,000 of these masks to our colleagues at the Medical University of South Carolina, which is
located near Boeing's manufacturing plant." – Mark O'Halla, president and CEO, Prisma Health
"I'm incredibly grateful to be part of this project – the wild
path to getting here is movie worthy. While every step of this
logistics process has been incredibly daunting, Boeing and Atlas
Air have been astonishing throughout, with both companies 100%
committed to making today's transport mission possible. It's
incredible that South Carolina has
the backing of companies that can lend their vital transportation
logistics support to this very complex challenge. Although this
project isn't in our typical wheelhouse of industrial design and
manufacturing, the ultimate goal of design is to solve problems
beautifully, and we've all come together to do just that." –
Neil Ferrier, Founder, Discommon
"Atlas Air is honored to be part of this vital mission. We thank
the front-line responders who continue to meet the overwhelming
needs of South Carolinians. The healthcare professionals in the
Prisma Health System have been relentless and resilient, and
transporting the critical equipment they need is one small way to
thank them." – John W. Dietrich,
president and CEO, Atlas Air Worldwide
"Boeing is proud to be part of this historic flight to bring
vital PPE to healthcare workers across South Carolina. I want to offer my personal
thanks to the Boeing team and our Atlas Air partners for what
they've done to support this essential mission and ensure our
frontline healthcare workers have the equipment they critically
need." – Dave Calhoun, president and
CEO, Boeing
Boeing Contact:
media@boeing.com
Prisma Health Contacts:
Tammie
Epps
803-318-1598
Tammie.Epps@PrismaHealth.org
Sandy Dees
864-303-4115
Sandy.Dees@PrismaHealth.org
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SOURCE Boeing