In the News

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — State and local leaders are not settling for the military’s decision to close Fort Bragg’s 440^th Airlift Wing.

WNCN spoke to 2^nd District Rep. Renee Ellmers about what she’s doing to fight the deactivation. Ellmers met with military officials at Fort Bragg Monday to see if there is any way to avoid shutting down the 440^th.

She, along with local officials, says it is the wrong decision for Fayetteville, Ft. Bragg and the entire military.

“When we have as significant a force at Ft. Bragg as we do with our paratroopers, our special forces, our global response force, we can’t let their training be jeopardized,” said Ellmers.

“Tens of millions of dollars have been spent at Pope preparing to be able to do what they do out there on these C130H’s. And I mean I just don’t understand this,” said George Breece, an Army veteran.

Even though the Air Force has planned for two years to deactivate Fort Bragg’s 440^th Airlift Wing, Friday’s letter declaring the site will be shut down by September has sent lawmakers and local leaders reeling.

“What I really felt for about this is the families affected. A number from 500 to 700 families that are sitting around their dining room table trying to figure out what’s next for them when it comes to their service to our country,” said Breece.

Breece is former chair of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and current chairman of the Military Affairs Council.

“Regardless of the outcome of this I have 100 percent faith that Gen. Townsend and Ft. Bragg will be prepared for anything that comes their way,” said Breece.

Rep. Ellmers says she hasn’t seen enough evidence that closing the 440^th would not have harmful consequences to our nation’s military readiness.

“Here we are in 2016 when we know that the terrorist threats are there, they’re more pronounced than ever and it’s grown on a global front. We have to do everything we can to protect every family in the country,” said Ellmers.

That’s why she met with the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Fort Bragg’s Commanding General and other military leaders about the deactivation. Breece says at this point lawmakers are the only ones that can make a difference in the fight to keep the 440^th open.

“They’re the people with the pressure points, they’re the ones that can put pressure on the Airforce,” said Breece.

“We have about a 90 day window to look at this. Those of us in Congress, we have to address the issue, we have to comment on this and we have to pull together to make sure this doesn’t happen,” said Ellmers.

Rep. Ellmers will head back to Washington D.C. Tuesday. She says she will not stop looking for answers or a way to keep the 440^th open.

The article above appeared in WNCT CBS 9, February 9, 2016