Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds - Produly serving New York's 26th District

A Great Victory for Western New York
By Thomas M. Reynolds
U.S. Representative, NY-26

Monday night, a victory rally was held at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, where community and government leaders and local residents came together to celebrate the decision of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission to keep the base open.

On Friday, May 13, the Pentagon put the base on its recommended list for closure, eliminating two combat proven units and thousands of jobs.  During the coming months, Western New York did what it does best: came together in one voice, united in our resolve to remove Niagara from the closure list.

That hard work and commitment paid off last Friday, when the BRAC Commission said that Niagara would remain open and in service to our nation.  When the decision came that the Commission would keep the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station open and operational, it was a great moment for our community.  From the very first hour to the very last, we fought tooth and nail for the base and for Western New York.  I was in Washington for the BRAC Commission's final sessions, working with commissioners and staff on behalf of Niagara up until the very last moment.  That included leading a last minute bid to save my old unit, the 107th Air National Guard, which was still going to be eliminated even after it had become clear that the 914th Airlift Wing was likely to remain intact.  Thankfully, we prevailed on all accounts.  When the BRAC Commission examined the facts, they realized what we have been saying all along- the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is too valuable to our efforts in the War on Terror, too valuable to our national security, and too valuable to our community, to face closure.

The Commission voted to retain all personnel and equipment from the 914th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve), including the eight C-130s currently stationed at the base.  All personnel from the 107th Air Refueling Wing (Air National Guard) also will be retained as an Associate Wing.  Even though the planes from our Air National Guard unit are being relocated, all of the personnel, all of the jobs, from the two units will remain, as will the eight C-130s- meaning we have saved the almost 3,000 jobs at the base.  What makes our effort and the result even more impressive is the fact that, of all the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve bases originally recommended for closure, Niagara is the only base that will remain operational.  And we will have the opportunity find a new mission for the 107th.  The decision speaks volumes about the tremendous quality of our base and our brave men and women stationed there, as well as the incredible effort our community put forth.

A tremendous amount of credit is owed to all the members of our community who worked so tirelessly to support our base.  When the chips are down, no one fights harder than the people of Western New York, sending more letters to the BRAC Commission - over 126,000 - than any other community in the country.  The Commission received just over a half-million letters of support on behalf of bases across the country, which means one in five letters was from Western New York.  I think it's clear now that effort made a difference. 

After Friday's decision, word spread quickly, especially among the reservists and members of the National Guard stationed at the base, and their loved ones.  The news was welcomed, and great relief for many.

However, it was also somewhat bittersweet; because on Monday, the 914th was called up for its third tour in Iraq - the first Air Reserve component to be called upon for a third time.  Following Monday's rally, we spent time with members of the 914th and their families prior to their departure.  Words cannot adequately express our thanks for all that they and their families sacrifice for our nation and our freedom.  I believe that this effort we endured together, the success that we achieved, was a fitting and proper sendoff for these brave men and women.  It was General Douglas MacArthur who said, "upon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that, upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory."

Keeping Niagara open was the right decision for our community and for the American people.  I'm happy to have been part of the team that saved Niagara, and I couldn't be prouder of our effort.