Pa. governor makes case for endangered Pa. reserve wing

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett is asking Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to keep C-130 transport planes at a suburban Pittsburgh air base.

Corbett spoke today at the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, which is home to the 911th Airlift Wing. He also wrote to Panetta on Dec. 13.

Corbett says reserve planes have been there since World War II and can reach 70 percent of the U.S. population in less than two hours. He also says the base receives support from Pittsburgh International Airport, making it cost efficient for the Air Force.

The Air Force has been seeking to move its operations from the base. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense is required to cut nearly $500 billion in spending over 10 years. Corbett says that could mean cutbacks at other Pennsylvania military installations.