A planned tour and assessment of the 911th Airlift Wing to be taken by Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, and Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Moeller has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
Murphy invited Moeller to tour the facility today and discuss the air base's future in a closed-door meeting, according to a statement from the Congressman.
The U.S. Air Force has again taken initial steps toward closing the airlift wing after March 2013—after the expiration of a law put in place to delay a closure.
Military officials said closing the 911th, which employs 1,100 military and 300 civilian personnel, would save $350 million. All personnel positions on the base would be eliminated under the proposed closure.
Murphy and other local officials have countered those Air Force claims by touting cost-savings associated with the wing.
The Air Force has pointed to the wing's aging C-130 tactical aircraft, which are among the oldest still flying in the military, as a reason for the closure.
In December, house and senate lawmakers enacted an annual defense bill that requires the Air Force to retain 32 cargo planes slated for retirement this year. Moeller has been tasked with making recommendations on where those plans should go, and will be conducting an assessment of the base during his visit, Murphy's office said.
A new date for the tour has not been scheduled. Check back with Patch for updates.
Read more about the 911th Airlift Wing on its Patch topics page.
