
December 5, 2023
By Landry Brewer
Burns Flat’s aerospace company is working with a prominent metro-area contractor to expand its facility, which will provide short-term and long-term economic benefits for western Oklahoma.
Shellback General Contracting, whose clients include the Oklahoma City Thunder, energy-industry businesses, and the Federal Aviation Administration, will expand Hangar 234 at the Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base in Burns Flat for Premium Aerospace Center Oklahoma (PAC) beginning early in 2024.
This project will allow PAC to efficiently paint commercial aircraft and quickly get them back in service.
“We anticipate the project taking about 10 to 12 months,” said Matt Richardson, President of Shellback General Contracting.
He anticipates hiring between 50 and 75 subcontractors over the course of this project, and locals will be hired when possible.
“We will need a steel-erection company, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing personnel, plus painters, flooring, and concrete workers,” Richardson said. “We will also need security personnel.”
Shellback General Contracting hopes to hire qualified subcontractors from western Oklahoma.
But this project isn’t the only jobs opportunity on the horizon in Burns Flat.
“There are also several other projects after Hangar 234 that will take place over the next five to seven years,” Richardson said.
He is eager to work with PAC and enhance area and state opportunities at Burns Flat’s Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base.
“The base is a sleeping giant for this portion of our state,” Richardson said.
In addition to creating local job opportunities quickly, this expansion project will require PAC to hire local qualified aerospace-industry personnel and those who want to relocate to the area.
Anyone with ties to the professions mentioned above who is interested in working as a subcontractor on the PAC Hangar 234 Project should send an email to admin@shellbackgc.com
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

SWOSU Students Study Wildlife in Yellowstone
Weatherford, OK – Over Spring Break, students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) traveled to Yellowstone National Park’s northern range to take part in an immersive field experience during the Yellowstone Ecology course. Led by Dr. Renan

Measles Exposure Alert Issued for Weatherford Restaurant
Weatherford, OK — Health officials have issued a measles exposure alert for patrons of a restaurant located in the 1300 block of E. Main St. in Weatherford. Individuals who visited the restaurant on March 19 between 5:30

Sayre Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Leads to Drug, Child Neglect Charges
Sayre, OK — A routine traffic stop in Sayre led to multiple felony charges for 31-year-old Bradley Hoyt Parker after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper discovered drugs and juveniles in the vehicle. According to a probable cause

Altus AFB to host the Altus Airpower Stampede Open House and Air Show on April 12 and 13
Altus AFB Press Release Altus Air Force Base, OK – Altus Air Force Base is scheduled to host the Altus Airpower Stampede Open House and Air Show on April 12 and 13, 2025. This is a free,

Acclaimed Fantasy Author David R. Slayton to Keynote Annual Westview Festival
SWOSU Press Release The Annual Westview Festival proudly announces that urban and epic fantasy author David R. Slayton will be the keynote speaker for this year’s event. The keynote address will occur on Wednesday, April 16, 2025,

April 1 Election Results
Results will start to come in when polls close at 7 p.m. City of Elk City Elections: Mayor • Shannon McAbee • Micah Kilhoffer Commissioner, Ward 2 • Mike McFall • Rod Carver Commissioner, Ward 3 •

REMINDER: Today is Election Day in Oklahoma!
Polls are open NOW to 7:00 p.m. — make your voice heard! Elk City voters will help decide several key local races, including: Mayor Shannon McAbee Micah Kilhoffer Commissioner, Ward 2 Mike McFall Rod Carver Commissioner, Ward

Oklahoma Schools Win Sweepstakes at SWOSU SWIM 2025
Weatherford, OK – The annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University Interscholastic Meet (SWIM), the longest-running academic competition in Oklahoma, was held on March 27, 2025, at SWOSU in Weatherford. Established in 1913, SWIM has provided generations of students

SWOSU Computer Club Hosts Annual Fundraising Lock-In
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Computer Club recently hosted its annual fundraising lock-in at the Pioneer Event Center, bringing together students, faculty, and staff for a night of gaming, collaboration, and community. The

SWOSU Biology Students Present Research at Oklahoma Research Day
Weatherford, OK – Students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences showcased their research at Oklahoma Research Day, held this year at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. This annual event provides

Elk City Woman Charged with Attempted Murder After Alleged Fentanyl Overdose Incident
Elk City, OK — An Elk City woman has been formally charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree following a near-fatal fentanyl overdose incident that occurred on February 24. According to court records, 47-year-old Cori Liane

Local Elections Set for April 1 Across Western Oklahoma
Voters across Oklahoma will head to the polls on Tuesday for a series of important local elections. These include Board of Education general elections, statutory municipal general elections, and special elections in various counties. Elk City Voters

Two Killed in Head-On Crash Near Custer City
Custer County, OK — Two people were killed Friday afternoon in a head-on collision just west of Custer City. The crash occurred around 3:56 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 33 and E 920 Road, about two

Election Day Reminders and Tips
Roger Mills Co. Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1st , for the Board of Education/Municipal General Elections. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary

Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws
Cheyenne, OK – With the April 1st Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws. PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election

Request An Emergency Ballot For The April 1 Election
Roger Mills Co. Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 17th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their

California Man Arrested Duirng Beckham County Traffic Stop
Elk City, OK — A California man is facing felony charges in Beckham County following a traffic stop that led to a significant drug bust on I-40. According to a probable cause affidavit, 31-year-old Anastacio Obregon-Izazaga of

Routine Traffic Stop in Sayre Leads to Felony Drug and Weapons Arrest
Sayre, OK — A routine traffic stop in Sayre led to the arrest of a man on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession of a sawed-off rifle, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Authorities say a blue Chevy Silverado

Weatherford Gears Up for April 2025 Recycling Events in Honor of Earth Day
Weatherford, OK — The Weatherford Environment Group (WEG) has announced a month-long slate of Earth Day recycling events happening throughout April 2025. Residents are encouraged to participate by bringing recyclable materials to the Weatherford Materials Processing Building,

SWOSU Announces Endowment Gift from Bryan & Erika Evans Family
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the receipt of a major charitable gift from Bryan and Erika Evans of Edmond. Bryan Evans is the Co-Founder of the Evans & Davis Law Firm, which

Man Claiming to Be Arapaho Police Chief Arrested During Weatherford Traffic Stop
A man claiming to be the newly hired police chief of Arapaho was arrested during a traffic stop in Weatherford on March 9. Weatherford police say 46-year-old Jah Malachi Banks of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was pulled over in

Final Sale of Champions at Jim Norick Arena Caps Off Historic 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo
Oklahoma City, OK — After 60 years of tradition, the Jim Norick Arena saw its final curtain call Friday night as the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo wrapped up with the iconic Sale of Champions. This year’s sale

Wildfire Update: 840 Road Fire and Camargo Fire
Western Oklahoma – After a week since their ignition, fire crews are still battling wildfires in western Oklahoma. 840 Road Fire The 840 Road Fire, spanning Roger Mills and Dewey Counties, has burned approximately 27,855 acres and

Canute Sisters Shine at Historic Final OYE in Jim Norick Arena
Oklahoma City, OK – The 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo marked the end of an era as the final Grand Champion Drive of the four market species took place in the historic Jim Norick Arena, closing out 60

Alva Woman Killed in Crash North of Foss
Custer County, OK – A two-vehicle crash claimed the life of an Alva woman Thursday night in Custer County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the wreck happened around 8:14 p.m. on March 20, about 3.5 miles north