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

At BRAC Hearing, Reynolds Stresses Military Value of Base, Failures in Air Force Reasoning
Reynolds joins Governor, fellow members of Congress in urging that base remain open

U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, testified before the BRAC Commission at University at Buffalo's North Campus in Amherst today.  During the hearing on the proposed closure of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Reynolds stressed the high military value of the base and detailed several flaws in the Air Force's reasoning behind recommending it for closure.

"The 914th [Airlift Wing] and 107th [Air Refueling Wing] have deployed six times since September 11th, 2001, to either Iraq or Afghanistan, not to mention the role they played in homeland defense on the actual day of September 11th, and beyond," Reynolds said.  "Overturning the Air Force recommendation to close Niagara would preserve two combat-proven, highly deployable Air Reserve Component wings with high retention rates; underscore that the Commission supports joint, cost-effective facilities like Niagara; and recognize the importance of the military's presence in New York and the Northeast, to ensure our Homeland Defense."

In his testimony, Reynolds provided evidence of inconsistencies and flaws in the closure recommendation process, including: the Air Force's recommendation to expand the base in three of four closure scenarios; the non-existent "savings" the Air Force claims it will achieve by closing the base; and claims that Niagara needed to be closed to correct an imbalance in the number of C-130s between the Active and Reserve components.

"The facts are these: Closing Niagara would generate no savings, correct no imbalance in the C-130 fleet and contribute nothing to force transformation," Reynolds said.

Reynolds also spoke in depth about the base's exemplary retention and recruitment rates.

"The retention rate for these units far exceeds that of active duty, a testament both to our area's strategic location, as well as the work ethic of our community, and the men and women who serve there," Reynolds testified. 

The hearing was held following the BRAC Commission's tour of the Niagara Falls Air Base this morning.

As a former member of the 107th Air Refueling Wing who served at the Niagara Falls Air Base, Reynolds was able to offer a unique perspective to Chairman Principi and other Commission members in attendance.

"Many years and a few less gray hairs ago, I served as a proud member of the 107th Air National Guard.  I can personally attest to the commitment to duty and service, and the tremendous work ethic of the men and women who serve in these units," Reynolds concluded.  "Whether it was Korea or Afghanistan, Vietnam or Bosnia, Desert Storm or Iraqi Freedom, the highly decorated men and women of the 107th and the 914th have, throughout their history, valiantly fought for us.  Today, we fight for them, and I am asking for your help to keep the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base open, operational, and continuing their vital contribution to our Nation's Defense."