Boeing facility in Wichita (photo courtesy of Creative Commons).

The decision was seen as a precursor to more cutbacks in the defense industry, the Los Angeles Times reported. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is scheduled Thursday to preview plans to trim $450 billion from the military budget over the next decade.

The Boeing Defense, Space and Security facility employs more than 2,160 employees. The facility is also the base for the company's Global Transport and Executive Systems business and its B-52 and 767 International Tanker programs, according to a press release.

According to the AP, the decision elicited an angry response from Kansas lawmakers who helped Boeing land a lucrative Air Force refueling tanker project in February that they expected to bring thousands of jobs to Wichita. Instead, the work will now go to facilities near Seattle and Oklahoma City.

"Boeing's announcement is that things have changed," U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran told the AP. "The only thing that really has changed in my mind in the last year is Boeing now has the contract."

The contract is to build 179 Air Force refueling tankers and is worth at least $35 billion.

The first layoffs are expected in the third quarter of 2012. Boeing has had a facility in Wichita since 1929.

"Boeing values its long-term partnership with Kansas, and we will continue to work with all of our stakeholders in Kansas in support of a robust aerospace industry in the state," said Mark Bass in the statement. Bass is the vice president and general manager for the facilities' Maintenance, Modification and Upgrades division.

Sen. Pat Roberts said Boeing had promised to remain in Wichita if it landed the tanker contract, the AP reported.

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Reach executive producer Agnus Dei Farrant here.