Niagara Air Base Could Lose National Guard Unit in Budget Cuts | News

NIAGARA FALLS, NY-- The Pentagon is looking to cut $500 billion in defense spending cuts in the next ten years, and the Niagara Falls Air Base could see some of those cuts as soon as next year.

According to the an Air Force spokesperson, the Air Force has proposed removing the Air National Guard Unit from the Niagara Air Base. Essentially, the military plans to cancel the mission of the unit and remove its planes from the base. If approved by the President and Congress, the change would take effect for fiscal year 2013, which begins October 1, 2012.

The Reserve Unit would still remain. 

In addition, the base would lose three, C-130 airplanes in 2013 and eight C-130's in 2017.  However, in 2018, they will receive eight, upgraded C-130 planes to replace the eight they are losing in 2017.

Based on figures from 2003, the Air National Guard Unit has 800 employees.

The Air Force spokesperson said no decision has been made about whether the Air Force would be shifting personnel from Guard Units to Reserve Units.

2 On Your Side spoke to Merrell Lane, the Chairman of NIMAC, which is a local group dedicated to stopping cuts and closures at the Falls Air Base.

REPORTER: What do you think will end up happening, ultimately, to a lot of those employees?

LANE: Uh, well, that, we don't know... If there's another mission at the base, there is a possibility they could be right at Niagara or... We just have to wait and see.

Earlier this week, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul, whose district includes the base, said she an her colleagues are determined to find a new mission for the base's air national guard unit so the military can justify keeping it there.

Lane believes the base could be used as a military cyber security hub.

REPORTER: Do you think there is a chance that you could save that guard unit?

LANE: Well, there is always a chance. I think in these economic times it is going to be difficult.

The last time this happened, in 2005 and 1995, the Niagara Falls Air base was on the short list to close, but was then saved.

Members of the Niagara Military Affairs Council will meet with high ranking members of the Air Force and lobby members of congress in Washington. The list of bases that could close is not out yet, but the Pentagon is calling for $250 billion dollars in cuts.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Representatives Louise Slaughter, Brian Higgins and Kathy Hochul released the following statement on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station today:

"The Niagara Air Base plays a central role in our national defense and emergency response, and must be protected. We will continue to make a strong case to the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the more than 3,000 men and women who work tirelessly to keep our country safe and strong."

The base completed 1,500 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan this past year alone.

Because 2012 is an election year, some suggest Congress may postpone voting on unpopular military cuts until 2013.