The Pentagon has awarded Boeing a $500 million contract to begin the orderly transfer of C-17 production assets.

Work is to be completed by July 5, 2022, according to an announcement released by the contracting activity at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

The C-17 creates major economic impact in Middle Georgia. Boeing Macon assembles about 30 percent of the aircraft's fuselage while Robins Air Force Base is the Air Force's support focal point for the giant transport.

The contract is a major step in transitioning the strategic airlifter from production to post-production support.

"The contract allows the U.S. Air Force to purchase critical spare assemblies and also allows for post-production planning of the C-17 program," Bob Ceisia, Boeing's airlift vice president, is quoted in an Air Force Association account.

"This is the beginning of a ten-year process ...to leverage cost-effective purchases of critical parts to support the C-17 during it operational lifetime," Ceisia added.

Although deliveries to the U.S. Air Force are essentially completed, Boeing remains hopeful that additional foreign purchases will materialize.

"We are actively pursuing international sales and see strong customer interest in the capabilities only the C-17 can deliver," Ceisia is quoted by AFA.