An Air Force contract valued at nearly $6 million will mean the creation of more jobs for Oklahoma City-based Wall Colmonoy, a metal-engineering company.
The company, operating in Oklahoma City for more than 60 years, will work with Tinker Air Force base in manufacturing critical heat exchangers for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is a 5-year contract that was won after Wall Colmonoy beat at least two out-of-state companies. It means an expansion of operations for the Oklahoma City firm, according to Brian Martin, Wall’s director of business development.
““These would be welders, inspectors and shop technicians on our first shift and our second shift at our Oklahoma City facility,” Martin told News 9.
Martin said the heat exchanger is a critical component of the F-16.
“If they don’t have that unit functioning, the plane doesn’t fly. It’s that critical,” Martin said.
The contract also allows the Air Force to re-manufacture existing components rather than replace them with more expensive new parts.
Tinker Relies on Industrial Partners
The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce praised Wall Colmonoy for winning the contract and highlighted the company’s role in supporting Tinker Air Force Base.
In a statement to News 9, the chamber said:
“We’re proud that Wall Colmonoy Oklahoma City won the contract to support the F-16 Fighting Falcon. This is emblematic of the companies in Oklahoma City who support our nation’s security. Tinker Air Force Base, with 27,000 men and women, is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma. Tinker can’t do its mission without strong industrial partners like Wall Colmonoy. It’s this important collaboration that forges war fighter readiness today and enhances deployment capability”
Contract Expected to Boost Local Economy
Wall Colmonoy beat at least two out-of-state companies for the contract, according to company officials.
The five-year agreement is expected to bring additional economic activity to Oklahoma City while creating new manufacturing jobs.
Martin said the company views the contract as another opportunity to expand its longstanding partnership with Tinker and continue supporting the Air Force.
“This is emblematic of the companies in Oklahoma City who support our nation’s security,” the chamber said in its statement.
