C-130 News: Air Force moves forward on plans to shutter Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing

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Air Force officials have been saying they would inactivate the 440th Airlift Wing for more than two years.

On Friday, they officially notified Congress that they would move forward on shuttering Fort Bragg's lone airlift wing.

According to Rep. Renee Ellmers' office, Air Force leaders said they began efforts to move the wing's 12 C-130H aircraft on Friday, the end of a 90-day waiting period required by law.

While the news was expected, Ellmers said it was still hard to stomach, citing the Air Force's inability to fully support Army airborne forces at Fort Bragg, the home to the nation's airborne and quick reaction forces.

"The bottom line is that the Air Force has already demonstrated they cannot meet their promise to provide sufficient airlift to Fort Bragg paratroopers," Ellmers said. "Moving forward, the name of the game is accountability. I believe the Air Force made a poor decision, and I intend to hold them true to their word that there will be no impact to military readiness or our paratroopers' ability to train."

Ellmers promised to continue to monitor monthly jump numbers, and she won't be alone.

Rep. Richard Hudson said he will work closely with his colleagues to hold the Air Force accountable.

"This unit is absolutely critical to conduct the type of training that both airborne and special operations forces located at 'the epicenter of the universe' rely on to conduct the high risk missions they're charged with in combat," Hudson said. "I continue to believe that deactivating the 440th could put our national security at risk, and the Air Force has yet to show us any evidence to the contrary."

Last month, Sen. Thom Tillis called out Air Force leaders for failing Fort Bragg.

He said the Air Force was not keeping its promise to support the nation's largest airborne community, falling below even the "bare minimum" number of jumps Fort Bragg leaders require for proficiency.

At the time, Tillis noted the Air Force fell short of those expectations every month this year.

Officials with Air Mobility Command have yet to respond to questions from The Fayetteville Observer about the Air Force's support of Fort Bragg.

In an email to local congressional representatives, Air Force officials said the inactivation will be completed by Sept. 30.

"The Air Force remains fully committed to providing tactical airlift support to the Army, now and in the future," officials said. "Realistic training is a cornerstone of readiness and the Air Force is proud of the role it plays in Army combat readiness. With increasing budget pressure, and to continue support to the Army while accomplishing all other missions, the Air Force must manage its tactical airlift fleet in the most efficient manner possible."

A spokeswoman for the 440th Airlift Wing said the unit had flown its last scheduled training flight Thursday.

It already had limited its operations because of a lack of manpower, including putting an end to support of airborne operations earlier this year.

The spokeswoman, Maj. Lisa Ray, said it was unclear if the unit would fly again before its inactivation, or when the planes would be taken from Fort Bragg.

Source: http://www.fayobserver.com/military/air-force-moves-forward-on-inactivation-of-fort-bragg-s/article_9abb1ea3-dfaa-5468-908d-6e60d01fbab9.html

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