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

Reynolds: Alternate Plan Recommends Keeping the 107th at Niagara Falls
Adjutant Generals submit advisory plan that would preserve Guard unit

U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds, R- Clarence, stated today that, under an alternate base realignment plan submitted by the Adjutant Generals Association- the heads of the National Guard in each state- the Niagara Falls Air Base would retain its Air National Guard unit, the 107th Air Refueling Wing.  The plan was submitted for advisory purposes at the request of the BRAC Commission.

"The final push is on- and this is yet another important piece in our already strong case for Niagara Falls to be taken off the closure list," Reynolds said.  "The Adjutant Generals have reached a consensus- the 107th Air Refueling Wing should remain at Niagara and fully operational.  And while this plan does not apply to the 914th Air Reserve unit at the base, it is further ammunition as we fight to have Niagara removed from the closure list."

"When the Pentagon failed to consult with the Adjutant Generals and Governors of each state prior to making its recommendations, they went directly against the guidelines put forth by Congress for the base-closure process," he continued.  "The plan submitted by the Adjutant Generals is a non-binding, advisory plan- but it shows that, had the DoD properly conferred with the Adjutant Generals for each state, they would have had a better understanding of the high military value of our base and perhaps not slated it for closure in the first place."

Reynolds discussed the plan on his return from Washington, D.C., where he attended BRAC Commission Congressional hearings.

"While this plan is helpful for the 107th, the 914th Airlift Wing must remain at Niagara in order for the base to stay open," Reynolds said.  "We must ensure that both units- not just the 107th- are taken off the closure list."

The Congressional hearings focused on the impact of the potential base closures on homeland security and defense.

"The Adjutant Generals clearly understand the importance of maintaining our National Guard presence here at Niagara Falls, for both national security and recruiting purposes," Reynolds said.  "During the hearing, Chairman Principi himself mentioned his concerns with closing Niagara specifically, as he has in the past; so it is clear our message is resonating."

One of the hearing's three-member panels featured Major General Thomas Maguire, the Adjutant General of the New York Air National Guard.

"It was very helpful to have Major General Maguire on hand to reiterate the fact that neither he nor Governor Pataki were conferred with before the recommendations for closure were made," Reynolds said.  "Major General Maguire has been a key advocate for the base, and his hard work is a big reason why the case we're building for the base is so strong."

Reynolds noted that the final decision of the Commission is only a few weeks away.

"Our community has shown tremendous support for the base, sending more letters to the BRAC Commission than any other base in the country facing closure," Reynolds said.  "My staff and I are continuing to work closely with our community leaders and consultants to present any and all relevant evidence to the commission.  And that effort, that fight, will continue until the last possible moment."