As part of a “national restructuring plan,” the U.S. Air Force has decided to close the 911th Airlift Wing near Pittsburgh within the next two years.  The closure is part of a larger national effort to cut federal defense spending, and the Pentagon has listed “a need for geographic balance and the base’s aging aircraft” as reasons for targeting the 911th for closure.  The eight C-130 tactical aircraft at the 911th will be retired when the base closes.

In a clear example of the adage all politics is local. Local elected officials are jockeying for both the spotlight and influence over the Defense Department. If any of these elected officials can win this fight with the Air Force and claim credit, it could be a boost to their re-election. This is the sort of fight that when politicians claim they fight for their constituents, this is what they are referring to.

Local politicians and officials have been fighting the closure since it was first announced in February, citing the cost efficiency of the 911th and its benefits to the local economy.  The 911th uses the runways at Pittsburgh International Airport, which local Congressmen have said makes it one of the most cost-effective military bases in the country.

Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18) released a statement following the Air Force’s decision saying, “This fight is far from over. The decision to proceed with closing down the 911th is misguided, misinformed, and mistaken. The facts speak for themselves: the 911th is rated one of the most cost-effective bases in the country.”

Other issues related to the closure is whether the Air Force needs Congressional approval to close the base and the lack of transparency in the decision making process.  In a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force, Sen. Bob Casey said, “The 911th is the only reserve base that is scheduled for closure, yet there was little analysis provided for this proposed decision during the meeting. Moreover, it is unclear if the Air Force has the authority to close this base, given the threshold number of authorized personnel for the base.”

Rep. Mark Critz (PA-12) and Sen. Pat Toomey have questioned Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and asked the Air Force to provide justification for closing the 911th, including a cost analysis and a breakdown of the number of full-time employees. Federal law prohibits closing a military base with more than 300 civilian employees.

Besides the estimated 2,500 jobs the base provides, officials estimate the base brings more than $114 million to the region.  In a statement about the closing, Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-4) said, “The resources provided to the 911th from the surrounding area can’t be matched anywhere in the country, and those resources are what allows the 911th to provide valuable services at a greater savings to the taxpayers.”