Congressman Fights To Keep 911th Air Wing Open

WTAE

A Pennsylvania congressman is fighting to keep an air wing from being closed.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy wants to save the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township.

Murphy said he has been fighting this battle since 2005 and that it is one western Pennsylvania can’t afford to lose.

The congressman said closing the 911th is simply bad business.

“What kind of a system says, ‘We don’t care about the financial soundness of the decision, we’re just going to do it, not because we should, but because we can.’ And they’re looking for quick cuts. It’s much like going to the doctor and your doctor says, ‘We want you to drop 20 pounds.’ Great. And you take out a chainsaw and you cut off your arm. And he says, ‘I didn’t mean that.’ And you say, ‘Well, you wanted me to come up with something quick,’” Murphy said.

Officials said about 1,900 people work there.

The Defense Department said closing the base will save $354 million over five years, and of the 286 bases nationwide slated to have their fleets reduced, the 911th is the only one slated for closure.

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