The euphoric press releases from our federal delegation are pouring in. Here's U.S. Sen. Murray:

“Even when competing against an illegally subsidized foreign competitor, Boeing’s skilled workforce proved that they have the know-how and the product that can best serve our military.  And it is finally time to get this Boeing tanker into the hands of our men and women in uniform.

The Seattle Times has the scoop .

The Pentagon's decision, which was confirmed by a congressional source with direct knowledge, follows months of pessimism by Boeing officials that its 767 jetliner-based tanker fared poorly under the Pentagon's evaluation against EADS's larger aircraft, a modified version of the Airbus A330 passenger jet.

The fruits of the $35 billion, 179-aircraft order would be felt most keenly in Washington and Kansas. Boeing would assemble the tankers at its Everett widebody plant and transport them to Wichita for final equipping. In all, Boeing has estimated that the tanker contract would generate 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the United States.