Air Force General Confirms that Cost Isn’t the Issue In 911th Decision

Washington, D.C. — The head of the Air Reserve confirmed in a meeting today with Congressmen Tim Murphy (PA-18) and Mike Doyle (PA-14) that the Air Force’s attempt to close the 911th Airlift Wing had nothing to do with potential savings, or even costs at the 911th compared to other installations.

Murphy and Doyle met with Lieutenant General James Jackson, who is the head of the Air Force Reserve, in an effort to shed light on the Air Force’s attempt to close the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township. Air Force officials are currently trying to build support for a new proposal that would save roughly $8 billion and close down the 911th once a temporary law preventing closure expires in March of 2013.

During questioning by Messrs. Murphy and Doyle, Lt. Gen. Jackson revealed higher-ranking officials in the Air Force told the Reserve, Guard, and active duty command to evaluate for closure all facilities with fewer than 300 civilian employees. Only one base was listed in the data set: the 911th. During the meeting, Lt. Gen. Jackson admitted the decision to close the 911th was made because it was the easiest route to take. Jackson also said the Air Force did not perform a comparison of operating costs at bases before making its recommendations for cuts.

Following the meeting, Reps. Murphy and Doyle released this joint statement:

“After months of championing the strategic value of the 911th Airlift Wing, we’re astonished to learn the very advantages of the base are being used against it. Despite being cost-effective, critical to national security, and an asset to our local economy, the Air Force is attempting to close the 911th for one reason only — because they can, not because they should. Closure of the 911th has nothing to do with efficiency or capabilities. According to the Air Force’s disputed calculations, the 911th has fewer than 300 authorized civilian employees, allowing the Pentagon to close the 911th without congressional review. It’s clear all prior materials and cost-analysis provided by the Air Force were used to justify a decision based on a ‘universe of one.’”

“We’re now more committed than ever to fighting a decision that was misguided, mistaken, and misinformed. During our meeting, the Air Force Reserve did agree to provide us with an apples-to-apples comparison of operating costs at reserve installations. It is our expectation that this cost analysis will confirm that the 911th Airlift Wing is not only invaluable to military’s overall strategic mission, but also one of the most cost-effective installations in the country.”

After successfully writing a provision into law to temporarily prevent the Air Force from shutting down the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township, Reps. Murphy and Doyle have pledged to continue fighting to save the 911th Airlift Wing. This week, the Senate is taking up draft legislation that prohibits aircraft retirements or transfers through September 2013, which is the end of the 2013 fiscal year. The House has already approved a similar bill. Murphy and Doyle are also working with Pennsylvania’s senators to strengthen legislation blocking back-door base closures by the Pentagon.

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