(AP) — Boeing says it will reduce production of its C-17 military cargo planes by a third at its plant in Long Beach, Calif.

The Chicago-based company said Tuesday it does not know exactly how many jobs will be lost. The plant employs about 5,000 people, and produces 15 aircraft per year.

The plant is currently scheduled to close in mid-2012. Boeing says the new production schedule would extend the life of the line several more months, if there are no new orders.

The C-17 is a massive four-engine cargo plane that has been a workhorse in Iraq, Afghanistan and humanitarian missions.

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Congress recently approved the purchase of 10 new C-17s, even though the Air Force has said it doesn't need any more.