From 1991 to 1996, I had the pleasure of working as the Sourcing Team Leader for GE Aircraft Engines assisting Swiss Industry in the production of several machined parts and castings in support of the Swiss Industrial Participation (SIP) Program. GE's F404-GE-402 engines power the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18-D fighter that the Swiss have chosen to upgrade their air force. My team consisted of manufacturing and quality engineering support, and was supplemented by design engineering and productivity training specialists.

In January, 1996 I had the honor of attending the roll-out ceremony of the first F/A-18 delivered to the Swiss, which was held at McDonnell Douglas Corporation's facility in St. Louis, MO. Nearly a year to the day later, I was again honored to attend the roll-out of the first F/A-18 assembled in Switzerland, at the Swiss Federal Aircraft and Systems Company in Emmen.