Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay Hagan announced today that her provision to halt inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Airfield has been included in a bipartisan legislative agreement reached by Senate and House Armed Services Committee leaders. Hagan's provision would stop all C-130H and C-130J aircraft transfers until 60 days after the Air Force issues a report outlining a full justification of their decision. Hagan's provision also subjects the Air Force report to an independent review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) followed by time for Congressional review. The compromise NDAA legislation, which authorizes funding for the nation's military, is expected pass the House and Senate later this month.

"I am pleased my amendment to subject the Air Force's proposal to proper review before transferring aircraft from the 440th Airlift Wing is a part of the negotiated agreement between both chambers of Congress," Hagan said. "I have been steadfast in my support for the men and women in the 440th, and I believe there is not a strategic case to be made for inactivation of the unit, which provides critical air support and ensures the readiness of units at Fort Bragg. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to pass this bill to protect the Home of the Airborne from a hasty inactivation plan."

Hagan has led the effort in the U.S. Senate to prevent inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing, which provides 33 percent of the airlift, airdrop and aeromedical operations at Fort Bragg in support of Department of Defense objectives. They support in-garrison training and operational requirements of Air Force, Army and Joint Special Operations forces. If the Air Force's proposal to inactivate the 440th were allowed to proceed, Pope Army Airfield would lose over 1,100 full time and part time jobs.

Following the passage of Hagan's amendment in the Senate Armed Services Committee this summer, Hagan sent a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force underscoring the intent of her amendment to halt current inactivation plans while the NDAA for FY15 was negotiated, and the Air Force suspended the decision. To read more about Hagan's letter, click here.