Reserve station at airport is an important part of area economy

Strategic pause is not a phrase that would seem to be of great significance, but when it comes to the Pentagon’s budget, a pause can be a very big deal. At least as far as the Youngstown Air Reserve Station is concerned.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations has recommended a one-year “strategic pause” that would have the effect of protecting the present number of C-130 cargo and troop transport planes operating at the Youngstown station for at least another year.

That’s a matter of some economic importance to the Mahoning Valley and a matter of vital importance to reservists and civilian employees and their families at the YARS.

Absent the pause, the proposed Air Force budget would cut the number of C-130s assigned to the 910th Operations Group here from 12 to eight. The group has apparently already lost two airplanes that were “on loan” to Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. They are not going to be returned.

The Appropriations Committee recommendation, which was announced by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, would protect the Youngstown station from further cuts for an additional year, from Oct. 2013 through September 2014.

Reason to worry

We understand that the Pentagon is going to have to adjust to the economic realities of the day. At the same time, folks in Ohio pay their taxes just as much as those in Arkansas, and seeing planes shifted from here to there is cause for concern.

The Air Force budget would mean a net reduction of 97 traditional part-time reservists who do their monthly training at YARS and 33 full-time equivalent federal civilian employees and Air Reserve technicians. The Air Reserve Station pumps about $100 million into the area economy each year. It is home to the 910 Airlift Wing and Navy and Marine units and in the last budget was authorized to have 1,348 Air Force reservists, 250 full-time Air Reserve technicians, 190 Air Force Department of Defense civilian employees and 184 Navy and Marine Corps members.

But beyond the station’s economic benefit to the Mahoning Valley, it plays a vital role in national defense. As Tom Humphries, chief executive officer of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, pointed out earlier this year, the 910th’s aerial-spray mission is unique in the Air Force. Also, the federal government has invested tens of millions of dollars in developing an excellent facility at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

The Youngstown Air Reserve Station provides an excellent facility and aviation environment for Air Force Reserve operations. It only makes sense for Ohio’s congressional delegation to work together in protecting that asset against avoidable cutbacks.