In Mobile, Alabama Airbus under the guise of EADS North America is lobbying to build the planes at the former airbase and seaport Bookley Field.

If EADS wins the contract then Mobile, nearby Mississippi, Dauphin Island and parts of Florida will reap the rewards of 1500+ high tech jobs and salaries.  EADS already has a military contract to construct helicopters in Mississippi.

This week the Paris Air show highlighted Mobile's high profile in the race to land the contracts.

In reception rooms filled with southern drawls could be heard the Gallic tones of top officials from EADS and Airbus.  Sharing the dais with Governor Bob Riley was Louis Galois, co-ceo of EADS (Parent of Airbus), Ralph Crosby, the chief executive of EADS North America, and Allan McArtor, chairman of Airbus North America.

Also, attending were Senator Jeff Sessions, senator, Richard C. Shelby, members of the State Legislature and a majority of the members of the Mobile City Council.

The contact by the European aerospace and military giant wants to secure a $40 billion contract to provide 179 aerial refueling tankers to the US Air Force.

As excited as I am for the project I am concerned about the vulnerability of the location.  The State of Alabama, Mobile County, Senators and local media seem to have a vendetta against a critical element in protecting Mobile Bay, the harbor, shipping channels, oil and gas infrastructure and the invaluable Mississippi Sound Intracoastal Waterway. The element in question is Dauphin Island, Alabama which as a barrier island is the first and most important structure protecting the low-lying mainland, bays and nearby rivers from a devistating storm surge.  These entities are tunnel visioned upon the petty subject of private ownership of some of the municipalities waterfront.  Instead of seeing the forest for the trees, or a region for a beach, or protect billions by investing few million for rebuilding they focus on doing nothing to restore the damage to this vital natural storm barrier because a few folks were lucky enough to build a beach cottage 20-30 yrs ago when land cost a few $1000.  I do not understand how businesses can RISK building in the Mobile basin until the decision is enacted to protect and minimally restore this barrier to its Pre-Ivan/Katrina form.

There are many areas to live on the island but the West End and East End areas must be restored to continue their valuable function as a storm speed bump.