Fort Bragg Report: Bragg Reps weigh in on 440th Airlift Wing
July 14, 2015
On the heels of news that the 440th Airlift Wing's life had been extended, local Congressional leaders have issued statements.
From Rep. Renee Ellmers:
“I am encouraged that the Air Force has finally seen the light. I have fought this proposal from the very beginning—meeting with senior military officials to express my vehement opposition and proposing multiple amendments to prevent closure of this Wing.”
“While I’m glad to see the Air Force has delayed deactivation, it is pivotal that we maintain pressure so they stop pursuing this destructive proposal.”
“I can promise that this isn’t the last the Air Force will be hearing from me.”
From Rep. Richard Hudson:
"Putting two and two together, it's no surprise the Air Force has come to the right conclusion that the 440th is a critical component necessary to maintain the readiness of our military and protect our national security. While this delay is welcome news, it's not nearly enough to take the 440th off the chopping block, and that's why my colleagues and I won't stop fighting for Ft. Bragg."
From Sen. Richard Burr:
“While not the end of this fight, the Air Force’s announcement that the airlift wing will be kept open through 2016 is good for North Carolina and the country. This announcement means that there is more time to fight for the 440th, the premier training support for our nation’s combat-ready paratroopers,” said Burr. “The soldiers at the 440th are the very tip of the spear for our global response forces and special operations communities. If we lose the C-130s at Pope, we seriously jeopardize their readiness and our nation’s strategic capabilities. For that reason, we must see-through our commitment to keep the C-130 presence at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg Pope Airfield.”
Issues:Defense & National Security