910th Airlift Wing avoids major cuts

910th Airlift Wing avoids major cuts

VIENNA

The 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station is not among the

reserve and active-duty

facilities slated for closure or serious reduction in 2013.

However, under an Air Force restructuring plan

announced Friday, the

910th will lose six older-model C-130 Hercules transport and cargo planes and gain four newer C-130s.

The restructuring plans are contained in the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget request.

The 910th is currently authorized and assigned 12 Lockheed C-130H2s, which would result in a net loss of two planes under the restructuring.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, said the

restructuring plans will

impact 60 installations in more than 33 states, and some 227 aircraft will be

retired or canceled in fiscal-year 2013, including the six C-130s at the 910th.

The transfer of these newer model C-130s to the Youngstown facility

will enable local reservists to train on advanced-

technology aircraft and

ensure that Youngstown has access to the same cutting-edge instruments deployed throughout the Air Force, Ryan said.

‘As we move forward with Congress’ plan to cut half a trillion dollars from the defense budget, everyone will be asked to make a little sacrifice. But news like this reminds us of Youngstown’s resiliency and ability to come up with the best in difficult situations,’ he said.