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Information on the 911th
Dear Friend,
It has been a busy Congressional session and in an effort to keep you informed, I have dedicated this section of my website to the ongoing effort to save the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township.
The President's budget makes dramatic cuts to our national security, including the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township. I have taken several steps to stop this misguided decision and protect our local military community.
I am committed to reducing federal spending, but not on the backs of our troops and veterans. While we need to be cutting waste — like the massive number of contractors who work at the Pentagon — we should not take away vital resources and equipment from our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. It is unconscionable to make cuts at the expense of service members and their families, who are being asked to sacrifice so much for our country. Please take a moment and review the timeline, documents, and interview I have listed below.
Sincerely,
Tim Murphy
Member of Congress
Save the 911th Timeline
August 17:
Congressman Murphy attends groundbreaking ceremony for the new military commissary in Moon Township. The groundbreaking comes after six years of determined efforts by Murphy to secure funding and the required approvals to build a replacement facility for the store located on the grounds of the closed Charles E. Kelly Support Facility in Collier. Click here for additional information on the Commissary project.
Breaking ground for construction on commissary |
June 22:
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announces that the Air Force will suspend all "structure" adjustments for FY 2013, ensuring that the 911th will remain open for another year.
May 8:
Congressman Murphy announces that draft versions of two crucial national defense bills would save the 911th Airlift Wing and keep the base’s seven C-130 aircraft in place, plus prevent the Air Force from transferring any refueling tankers out of the 171st Air National Guard.
May 5:
Congressman Tim Murphy joined hundreds of local Air Force reservists, community leaders and supporters at a Rally to Save the 911th Airlift Wing and the 171st Air National Guard.
April 17, 2012:
Rep Murphy Presents Testimony Before House Armed Services Committee: “Keep the 911th and 171st Open in Pittsburgh.”
April 9:
Congressman Murphy provided an update and answered questions about his efforts to save the 911th Airlift Wing and 171st Air National Guard Refueling at a Community Forum on the 911th Airlift Wing At the new Moon Area High School board room.
April 3:
Local veterans and members of our region’s greater military community were invited to participate in a town hall and rally to save the 911th Airlift Wing and 171st Air National Guard, both of which are located in the 18th Congressional district. The event, sponsored by Allegheny County Veterans Affairs, was held at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland at 7PM on Tuesday, April 3rd. Congressman Murphy gve an update about his efforts to save the base and force the Administration to undertake a thorough and transparent review of the base’s attributes and unique contributions to national security. Local officials, veterans organizations and military affairs coalitions all participated. Coverage in the Moon Patch and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
March 9:
Congressman Murphy sent a letter to President Obama asking him to review the data put forth by the Air Force upon which the decision to close the 911th was made. Coverage on KDKA-TV.
March 9:
The greater SWPA delegation working to save the 911th and the 171st held a press conference at the Heinz History Center. In attendance were Congressmen Tim Murphy and Mike Doyle, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, and representatives from the Military Affairs Coalition of Western Pennsylvania.
March 1:
Congressman Murphy and other members of the SWPA delegation were briefed in Washington by members of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Military Affairs Coalition on the data collection efforts on 911th’s personnel, the economic and military value of the base.
February 27:
Congressman Murphy secures a pledge from Major General Wesley Craig, the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard, to work together to save the 911th and 171st.
February 19-23:
Congressman Murphy enlists the help of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) to review the Administration’s justification for the base closure. HASC will review civilian manning levels and cost effectiveness of 911th.
February 8:
Congressman Murphy meets with Air Force officials in DC to discuss 911th closure. Officials admit the decision was made without a clear cost-benefit analysis.
February 7:
Rep. Murphy introduces legislation to save the 911th (H.R. 3911). This legislation would prohibit the permanent relocation of C-130 aircraft assigned to Pittsburgh 911th Airlift Wing.
February 3:
Congressman Murphy sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Donley requesting that he review the number of civilian personnel at the 911th. U.S. Code Title 10 requires congressional approval for the closure of military bases with more than 300 civilian personnel. (The 911th reportedly has 318)
February 3:
Under a budget reduction proposal released by the U.S. Air Force Friday morning, the 911th Air Force Reserve base in Moon Township could be closed.
January 30:
Congressman Murphy sends a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, cautioning him not to make decisions about 911th Airlift Wing without thorough review and discussion about costs and benefits
Click here for additional information about the 911th Airlift Wing.
Local News Clips on the 911th
July 2, 2012
911th Airlift Wing will remain open for another year - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
May 8, 2012
Defense budget bills would freeze loss of aircraft, keep 911th bases open - Beaver County Times
Legislation would halt closing of 911th Air Base in Moon - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
May 5, 2012
You Sent it In: 911th Opens New Lodge - Moon Patch
Hundreds rally in effort to keep the 911th Airlift Wing open - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
April 17, 2012
Murphy to Testify on 911th Before House Armed Services Committee - Moon Patch
U.S. Lawmakers Mount Case Against Air Force Cuts - Defense News
Same war, different battlefield - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
April 10, 2012
Murphy meets with school district officials on 911th closure - Moon Patch
Officials dispute closing the 911th Airlift would save $354 million - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
April 9, 2012
Air Force says 911th closure will save $354 million - Beaver County Times
March 22, 2012:
Pentagon blocked from base closures - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
March 10, 2012:
Local Politicians Line up to Save 911th Airlift Wing - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
March 9, 2012:
Local Officials Stress Opposition to 911th Airlift Wing Closure - KDKA
Military Affairs Coalition Will Ask Obama For Help with 911th Fight - WTAE
Local Officials to lobby Obama to keep 911th Air Wing Open - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Murphy: Support Growing to Save 911th - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Air Force study argues Reserve, Guard Units not necessarily cheaper than active duty - Beaver County Times
March 7, 2012:
More cuts to regions military - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Pentagon Still Plans to Close the 911th - Beaver County Times
March 6, 2012:
Murphy Vows to Fight 911th Airlift Wing Closing - Pittsburgh Business Times
March 2, 2012:
Officials continue fight for 911th base - Beaver County Times
March 1, 2012:
Local leaders take case for 911th to D.C. - Pittsburgh Business Times
February 28, 2012:
Murphy to Discuss Plans to Save 911th - Pittsburgh Business Times
Lawmakers question military leaders on 911th plans - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 6, 2012:
Congressman Murphy Not Giving Up on 911th Airlift Wing - KDKA