PITTSBURGH — Four western Pennsylvania congressmen and both U.S. senators have met with Air Force officials to argue against plans to close the 911th Airlift Wing near Pittsburgh.
Now, the Air Force will meet with Congress, explaining why it wants to shut down the 911th wing and limit the size of the 171st Refueling Wing.
The Air Force is looking to cut nearly 10,000 jobs nationwide. Pennsylvania is one of the states that would be hit the hardest. The Air Force said the cuts are necessary to adjust to a tighter budget.
U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican from Upper St. Clair, said congressional approval is needed to close the 911th base, because it has more than 300 civilian employees. The Air Force has said the base has just 283 such employees, but has agreed to review its records and meet again with the lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
Murphy said the base also has 1,300 reservists, far more than the 1,000 he said are needed to require congressional approval to close it.
Channel 11 News tried to get a copy of the Air Force's written testimony but were told the statements would not be available beforehand due to the sensitive nature of Tuesday’s hearing.
The lawmakers and local officials said the base which houses transport and refueling planes pumps about $114 million into the Pittsburgh region's economy each year.
WPXI
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