Murphy Meets with School District Officials on 911th Closure

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, fielded questions Monday night from members of the public and the on the upcoming  of the 911th Airlift Wing. 

Murphy presented school board members with a report from Air Force officials outlining reasons for the base's closure, which Murphy said did not include a cost analysis of the Moon-based wing.

Murphy said the report did not account for the more than spent on new facilities at the base since 2004 or its use of four 10,000-foot runways at Pittsburgh International Airport for an annual cost of $20,000. 

"How does this happen in Washington?" said school board member Jeff Bussard. "Is this some kind of sheer shortsightedness? It seems to escape logic."  

Murphy said that the Air Force "did not look at the extended impact of closing the base." He later told a resident that Air Force brass were not aware of a planned 43,000-square foot military commissary slated to be built at the corner of Interstate 376 and University Boulevard or plans for a Naval facility on the 911th's grounds. 

"The Air Force made the quick decision instead of the right decision," Murphy said. 

Murphy said he is disputing the Air Force's claim that fewer than 290 civilian personnel are employed at the 911th—base officials have said that as many as 318 civilians work at the wing. Military installations with more than 300 civilian employees cannot be closed without Congressional approval.  

The school board in a 9-to-0 vote adopted a resolution condemning the closure. Murphy told members of the public that he has invited Rep. Howard McKeon, R-California, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, to tour the 911th. 

The Air Force announced in February to shutter the base and eliminate its more than 1,100 military personnel positions as a part of a Pentagon plan to reduce the Air Force 2013 budget by $8.7 billion. 

The plan also includes a downsizing of the neighboring 171st Refueling Wing, which includes laying off 25 percent of its personnel. The cuts are expected to take place in 2013. 

The 911th was targeted for closure because of the of its C-130 tactical aircraft. 

"We know that tough decisions have to be made," Murphy said. "But tough decisions best be informed decisions."