Jump to content

AFRC downsizing


Recommended Posts

Well I'm an O.R.F. now but one of my buds who is still in said the AFRC boss was at my old unit last week. He told them something to the effect that he had some big decisions to make soon and that he wanted them to know that it wasn't personal, just business. So the rumor that is going around there is that they are on the short list.

Pittsburgh is shutting down. Its part of the 2005 BRAC. The planes are moving to Pope.

Uhhh, their planes have been gone to Pope but they got the Oklahoma City Guard's iron and are still open. Oklahoma City Guard moved across town to Tinker, converted to the -135, and share the iron with the AFRC unit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought Pittsburgh was saved from the 2005 BRAC? As I remember it (having been at Willow Grove at the time), both Pitt and Willow Grove were on the BRAC list. That forced the PA congressional delegation and governor to pick one to fight for, and they chose to make the case for Pittsburgh, and it was taken off the list. I always thought they wanted to close Willow Grove, but knew that if Pittsburgh didn't make the list, that the PA congressional delegation would fight hard to save it. By adding Pittsburgh, they out-politicked the politicians.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought Pittsburgh was saved from the 2005 BRAC? As I remember it (having been at Willow Grove at the time), both Pitt and Willow Grove were on the BRAC list. That forced the PA congressional delegation and governor to pick one to fight for, and they chose to make the case for Pittsburgh, and it was taken off the list. I always thought they wanted to close Willow Grove, but knew that if Pittsburgh didn't make the list, that the PA congressional delegation would fight hard to save it. By adding Pittsburgh, they out-politicked the politicians.

Not sure about all of the details with Willow Grove but Pitt was saved but did have to send their ~ late 80's birds to Pope and they got the late 70's models from OKC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry about that. Before I became an ART I was a Traditional at the 171st at Pittsburgh. And didnt know they swapped tails after I left the area.

Anyways, I was told last week that we needed to hire any new ARTs right away. As priority placement from the C-130 units being closed would come first. The only unit mentioned was Pittsburgh. If the rumour is 3 units. Then thats about a 35 percent cut.

94th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia

302d Airlift Wing, (C-130) Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado

440th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina

908th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

910th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Base, Ohio

911th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania

914th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York

934th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Minneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota

Link to comment
Share on other sites

94th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia

302d Airlift Wing, (C-130) Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado

440th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina

908th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

910th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Base, Ohio

911th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania

914th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York

934th Airlift Wing, (C-130) Minneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota

So you're saying these are the units that might be on the chopping block?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest FlyingJennies

These are the C-130 Squadrons minus the AFRC Rescue, Special Ops and Weather units. Did anyone hear anything about closing any of them?

You forgot the Keesler C-130J squadrons. There is a TAC airlfit and a WRS Sqdn...but it's ok...no one knows anyone but the 53 WRS exists down there. :)

I have seen the 4 COAs floating around. The closures involve consolidation. Seems AFRC and the AF want to move/close stand alone units and consolidate them on bases with host support, like Maxwell. I was told by AFRC A5 they placed a TFI unit at Keesler due to the hose base support.

I can see a TFI unit and a larger AFRC unit at MXF in the future.

There are more rumors floating around....but they affect us J model guys. Seems AMC wants to take all the Js....

Edited by FlyingJennies
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would think that unit at Pope AAF (or whatever it is now) is safe. If they close the 440th, then there'll be nothing based at Pope for direct support for the 82nd and XVIIIth Airborne Corps. If they shut down a reserve unit that's co-located with a Guard unit (like Niagra Falls or Pittsburgh), what does that mean for the guard unit located there at well? Seems hard to think that there'd be much savings from simply reducing the number of tails at a location (i.e. somebody still has to pay to maintain a "base", right)? Although the guard did stay open at Willow Grove (w/o tails). I agree that it would probably make more sense to close/consolidate a stand-alone unit (not that I want to see any body close) like Youngstown.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would think that unit at Pope AAF (or whatever it is now) is safe. If they close the 440th, then there'll be nothing based at Pope for direct support for the 82nd and XVIIIth Airborne Corps. If they shut down a reserve unit that's co-located with a Guard unit (like Niagra Falls or Pittsburgh), what does that mean for the guard unit located there at well? Seems hard to think that there'd be much savings from simply reducing the number of tails at a location (i.e. somebody still has to pay to maintain a "base", right)? Although the guard did stay open at Willow Grove (w/o tails). I agree that it would probably make more sense to close/consolidate a stand-alone unit (not that I want to see any body close) like Youngstown.

Loach, what you are saying makes sense. The problem is these closures/consolidations/BRACs (call it what you want) are rarely done in a manner that makes sense and saves money. It's always done according deals made in back rooms and on the golf course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another article about the Air Force losing airframes.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/planes-cut/#more-68545

Danger Room has learned that around 200 airplanes, mostly older models, will eventually be retired without replacement. That represents about a 5 percent reduction in the overall fleet of about 4,000 aircraft. Exactly which planes will go is unclear. But under any scenario, the positions of thousands of airmen who fly and maintain those planes will be phased out. The majority of those airmen will be reservists and Air National Guardsmen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was also this.

http://www.afrc.af.m...sp?id=123278523

The Air Force plans to establish four new jet fighter units to create efficient and effective combat capability in tight budgetary times, according to an announcement Nov. 3.

In order to capitalize on the most efficient mix of full and part-time positions, the Air Force Reserve will reduce some of its slots whose duties will be filled by the Airmen in the new active-duty units.

Edited by MC5Wes
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest CAVEMAN

There was also this.

http://www.afrc.af.m...sp?id=123278523

The Air Force plans to establish four new jet fighter units to create efficient and effective combat capability in tight budgetary times, according to an announcement Nov. 3.

In order to capitalize on the most efficient mix of full and part-time positions, the Air Force Reserve will reduce some of its slots whose duties will be filled by the Airmen in the new active-duty units.

I don't think anyone will argue that this is probably the best thing for the Service. We will probably have more of this in the coming years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think anyone will argue that this is probably the best thing for the Service. We will probably have more of this in the coming years.

I think many will argue.

However, you are correct about this being the best thing and the leading edge of what's to come.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...