Schumer, Clinton, Slaughter, Reynolds Welcome Announcement Of Key Partnership Between Niagara Airlift Wing And New York Air National Guard
Press Release
Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Representatives Louise Slaughter and Thomas Reynolds, welcomed the announcement by the Air Force that the New York Air National Guard will partner with the Air Force Reserve Command's 914th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. In an announcement today concerning the proposed initiatives for the C-130 tactical airlift, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General T. Michael Moseley, stated that the 914th Airlift Wing will continue to have primary responsibility for the unit's C-130H airlifters, but will partner with the 107th Air National Guard Wing Airmen in employing these aircraft.
"This is terrific news for Western New York and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station," said Schumer. "This partnership is a win for everyoneit will improve the Guard's operability, increase the efficiency at Niagara, and further support the local economy."
"Today's announcement is a great step forward for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and for Western New York," said Senator Clinton. "This is also a critical first step in keeping the base at full strength, and positive movement in bringing them back to the full complement of sixteen C-130's by 2011 as the tankers are scheduled to leave. This is not only fundamental to the strength of the Airlift Wing, it is also vital to the local economy and the communities to which they are so closely tied."
"The Air Force's announcement today is an important first step in getting the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to full strength," said Rep. Slaughter. "We must continue to do all we can to maximize the Base's assets, and with it the future defense of America and the economic stability in the Niagara region."
"Today's announcement is great news for the Airmen and Women of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and for the people of Western New York who fought so hard to keep the base open," declared Rep. Reynolds. "By getting more and more assets for the base we ensure the mission of the base is protected now and in the future. This is just one more piece of the puzzle of reaching our ultimate goal: keeping our base open permanently."
According to the Air Force, this planned partnering of the Airmen in the New York Guard at Niagara Falls with the Air Force Reservists at Niagara Air Reserve Station, as directed by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, would form the nation's first-ever combat delivery Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard associate unit.
The congressional delegation have strongly advocated for bringing the 914th Airlift Wing back to a 16 Primary Authorized Aircraft (PAA) Air Force facility. On October 24, Schumer, Clinton, Slaughter, and Reynolds wrote to General Moseley supporting the proposed partnership between New York Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command's 914th Airlift Wing. In their letter the lawmakers set strict guidelines which would ensure key steps were taken to maintain the stability of the 914 Airlift Wing by bringing it back to a level of 16 PAA by FY 2011.
A copy of the October 24 letter to General Moseley is attached -
October 24, 2007
General T. Michael Moseley
Chief of Staff
1670 Air Force Pentagon, Room 4E562
Washington, DC 20330
Dear General Moseley,
For months we have monitored efforts to address resourcing of aircraft which would enable the New York's Air National Guard's (NYANG's) 107th Air Refueling Wing to associate with the Air Force Reserves' 914th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS). The 914th is also the host unit at the Base.
Recently, General Officer representatives of the Air Staff, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard met with the Delegation with regards to its proposal to resource four C-130H2 aircraft to the NFARS from Nashville for the 914th and 107th to associate. The aircraft would be assigned to the Air Force Reserves under a Memorandum of Understanding which would place the four aircraft under the inventory and control of the Air Force Reserves. The agreement includes specific language regarding the use of the aircraft by the 107th and the ability of the Governor to task any of the 12 C-130 aircraft at NFARS in the event of a State emergency, utilizing aircrews from the 107th.
Additionally, both the House and Senate versions of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 National Defense Authorization Act contains a legislative provision requiring the Secretary to provide a report outlining the long-range plans and aircraft resourcing for NFARS to the Committees on Armed Services by December 1, 2007. The proposed assignment of the four aircraft from Nashville is a welcome start in beginning the process of returning NFARS to a 16 PAA. To enable the Department to be in a better position to leverage opportunities, such as the possibility that C-130 H model aircraft in Alaska may become available prior to FY 2011, we will urge the NDAA Conferees to extend the reporting deadline until March 1, 2008 but will request that the required report make clear that the Air Force specify its plans to return t o a 16 PAA status for NFARS within the Future Years Defense Plan.
Given that the AFRC proposed to close NFARS as part of their 2005 BRAC submission, we, along with the State and the Adjutant General (TAG) of NY, have raised concerns that if the incoming aircraft are not designated NYANG assets, the future viability of the 107th would be open to question if the 914th to be re-located at some point in the future. However, we will not oppose proceeding with the current proposal to associate the 107th with the 914th lines as long as the Air Force commits to the following guidelines:
1. It is imperative that the Air Force confirm its intent to have two of the four additional C-130 aircraft programmatically assigned to NFARS prior to the beginning of FY 2009 and the other two aircraft assigned to NFARS no later than the beginning of FY 2011 so as to fully exploit the capabilities of the 107th members as they return from training.
2. Should the Air Force Reserve make a determination to realign, or move the 914th AW via programmatic or BRAC initiatives, the four aircraft being transferred to NFARS will revert to the Air National Guard and be assigned to NYANG to sustain the 107th in the Federal and State roles.
3. The Director of the Air National Guard has advised TAG, NY and his staff that he would fully support the assignment of additional C-130H model aircraft to NFARS. It has been determined that C-130H model aircraft may be available for assignment to NFARS prior to the conclusion of FY 2011 as PAA aircraft, returning the Base to its current level of 16 PAA. We request confirmation from the Air Force and the Director of the Air National Guard that should these aircraft remain available for reassignment, that NFARS will be a "Base of first choice" in order to meet the Total Force Integration Phase IV requirement to return NFARS to a 16 PAA level by the end of the FYDP, which will be consistent with the modified legislative provision currently in the FY08 NDAA.
Given that this issue has labored on for over 18 months and that there is a strong desire by the Department and the Delegation to bring this matter to a successful conclusion for both NFARS and Nashville, we urge you to provide a response as soon as possible. Further, given that Conference negotiations are proceeding, we will begin the process of contacting the Conferees to secure the extension on the Air Force's reporting requirement along with the clarification on the aircraft requirement for NFARS.
We look forward to your prompt reply and appreciate your leadership on this matter.
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