Mobile Mayoral candidate Stephen Nodine comments on the closure of VT Aerospace

March 5, 2025 – MOBILE, AL – The Mobile community was rocked by the news that VT Aerospace was closing its operations at Mobile's Brookley Aeroplex costing the city of Mobile 290 jobs. Mobile Mayor Stephen Nodine blamed the lack of leadership for the company moving those jobs elsewhere.

Nodine was formerly the Chairman of the Mobile County Commission. At that time Airbus was attempting to obtain a tanker contract from the Air Force – a contract they ultimately lost despite problems with the Boeing built competitor.

"I had the privilege of working with the Mobile Tanker Team beginning in 2004, alongside Mayor Sam Jones and a dedicated coalition of economic development leaders," said Nodine. "Our collective efforts positioned Mobile as a global aerospace contender, ultimately securing Airbus USA at Brookley Field."

"For years, I worked to unite 67 cities and counties across the Gulf Coast in support of Mobile's bid for the Air Force Tanker project," said Nodine. "Though we lost that battle, Airbus recognized Mobile's potential and stayed, leading to the largest final assembly line (FAL) investment in U.S. history. Yet, this past week, we learned that Boeing has once again failed to deliver on its tanker contract-plagued by massive cost overruns, cracked fuselages, and operational failures. This is not just a Boeing problem; it is a failure of leadership at the local, state, and national levels."

Nodine questioned the political leadership's commitment to aerospace in Mobile.

"Where is the Mobile Chamber of Commerce?" said Nodine. "Where are our state and federal representatives knocking on doors in Washington, demanding that our military gets the best aircraft available-one we had ready years ago? In 2022, Lockheed Martin considered partnering with Airbus to restart a new tanker project, but that opportunity slipped through the cracks-again, with silence from Mobile's leadership. This lack of proactive advocacy is unacceptable."

"Now, we face yet another devastating blow: the closure of VT Aerospace's Mobile operations," said Nodine. "This could have been prevented. VT Aerospace was here long before Airbus, playing a critical role in Mobile's aviation sector. Yet, when Singapore Aerospace leadership asked for support in 2006 to rebuild a hangar, they were met with silence. Unlike Airbus, VT Aerospace never received the level of state or local incentives that could have strengthened their long-term presence. This neglect has now cost us a vital industry partner. It is time to act. The window of opportunity remains open, but Mobile must mount an aggressive, coordinated effort to reclaim the Air Force Tanker program. The path is clear:"

Nodine said that the city of Mobile needs to mobilize it's leadership: the Mobile Chamber, state officials, and industry leaders to "engage in a unified push to bring the tanker project back."

"Boeing's failures make a strong case for Airbus to reenter the tanker discussion, possibly with Lockheed Martin or another U.S. defense partner," said Nodine. "Our federal representatives must take this fight to Washington, ensuring that Mobile is back in the conversation where it belongs."

"Businesses sometimes make decisions to reallocate what they're doing from one plant to another," said Mobile Chamber of Commerce President Bradley Byrne. "They have two existing locations in San Antonio and Pensacola, and they're taking some of the positions here in Mobile and just split them up between the two."

"We must learn from the VT Aerospace loss and ensure that all aerospace partners receive the support they need to thrive," said Nodine. "The time for inaction is over. The tanker project was born in Mobile. It belongs in Mobile. If our leadership does not fight for it, then we must demand new leadership that will."

Some of those workers will be given the opportunity to transfer to the company's facilities in San Antonio or Pensacola. The company recently lost two contracts with United Airlines and American Airlines. VT MAE has been a Mobile landmark business for the last 35 years. As recently as 2023, VT MAE employed 1,280 people and was the city's ninth-largest employer. ST Aerospace is expanding its Pensacola facility to four hangars and 1,700 employees.

Nodine is trying to resurrect his political career. Mayor Sandy Stimpson is not seeking another term. Councilwoman Connie Hudson, State Representative Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), former Mobile Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste, former City Councilman Jermaine Burrell, and former District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis are all also running for Mayor. The election will be on August 26.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com