Tim Murphy

U.S. Congressman for the 18 District of Pennsylvania

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Rep. Murphy Confirms Air Force Analysis Includes Crucial Data On 911th Airlift Wing
For Immediate Release: Friday, February 01, 2013 Contact: Amy Larkin, 202.225.2301, 610.715.1882 (cell) Washington, D.C. Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) announced today that the Pentagon working group responsible for advising whether to keep a flying mission at the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township has accepted as part of its review data and documentation provided by Mr. Murphy and the local military affairs community. Rep. Murphy also announced he was calling on the Air Force to keep the base open and operational at least until a BRAC process can be completed. The fate of the 911th would then be decided as part of any nationwide base closure commission, which defense experts suggest could occur in 2015. Murphy said the information hes provided includes hundreds of pages and documents on base costs, operations, and congressional intent regarding existing base closure statutes. He said the data confirms the base is more cost-effective than comparable installations. Weve made our case thoroughly to the Air Force, and Im confident the Pentagon understands there are significant cost savings with operating the 911th at Pittsburgh. Other airlift bases without strong local support have expenses 200 times greater than the 911th. I am hopeful that the Air Force will consider these cost savings and keep the 911th open so we have the opportunity to prove to a BRAC commission how valuable the 911th is to national security. If there is a future BRAC process, the 911th should be part of it so were guaranteed a fair and impartial review. Murphy noted the 911th has lower costs because of a long-term lease with the local airport authority, which provides runway maintenance, emergency services, air traffic control, snow removal and other benefits for only $20,000 a year. n meetings, phone calls, and correspondence over the last month, Rep. Murphy has delivered to Air Force Lieutenant General Michael Moeller, who chairs the

working group, data and documentation about the merits and cost-effectiveness of the 911th base. Murphy has led oversight of the working groups activities to ensure there is a fact-based analysis evaluating the unique advantages of the 911th Airlift Wing. On Monday, Rep. Murphy was scheduled to host Lt. Gen. Moeller at the base for a tour but winter weather prevented Moellers flight from departing from Washington, D.C. Murphy personally spoke by phone with Moeller, who promised that while he would have to reschedule his visit, the working group is on course to soon complete a full evaluation of the operating costs at individual Reserve, Guard, and Active Duty airlift bases, including the 911th. Last month, House and Senate lawmakers enacted an annual defense bill requiring the Air Force to retain 32 air cargo planes initially targeted for retirement. To determine where those planes should go, the Secretary of the Air Force tasked Lt. Gen. Moeller with convening a working group to study the issue and make recommendations, which are due in the coming days. In February 2012, the Air Force proposed to retire 65 C-130 air cargo planes nationwide and close the 911th Airlift Wing as part of a cost-cutting effort. Working with the Pennsylvania delegation and other lawmakers, Congressman Tim Murphy successfully passed legislation to prevent closure of the base through March 2013. The Air Force planes are essential for transporting equipment, material, and personnel from bases to military theater on behalf of the Army and Marines. ###