The Air Force confirmed yesterday that its proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 would eliminate 459 positions from the 132nd Fighter Wing based in Des Moines as 21 F-16s are retired. The total number of Air Force jobs in Des Moines would drop by 39 percent to 758 positions, KCCI-TV reported.
Governor Terry Branstad and most all members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation promised to keep fighting the uphill battle to overturn that decision. I’ve posted all of their statements after the jump.
Statement from Governor Terry Branstad:
Gov. Terry E. Branstad today stated he intends to fight the force structure reductions as released today by the United States Air Force.
Today’s manpower reductions are in addition to the equipment reductions announced last month by the U.S. Air Force. Gov. Branstad says these cuts will dramatically alter the ability of the National Guard to respond to emergencies and protect citizens, such as the levee monitoring activities last summer along the Missouri River.
As co-chair of the Council of Governors, Gov. Branstad is leading a nationwide effort on behalf of the nation’s governors to ensure that the complete value of the National Guard is reflected in national policy and the Pentagon budget. Gov. Branstad is very appreciative of the initial response of the Iowa congressional delegation and will continue to work with Members of Congress, fellow governors, their adjutants general and the Air Force to find alternative solutions to maximize capabilities at the lowest possible cost.
“The National Guard is a highly experienced and capable force, essential in responding to domestic disasters and emergencies, as well as completing critical missions abroad,” Gov. Branstad said. “I intend to use my position as co-chair of the Council of Governors to fight these disproportionate cuts facing the Air National Guard.”
Gov. Branstad last week released a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta that was signed by 49 governors, opposing the recommended cuts to the Air National Guard.
“We can best manage and execute responses to emergencies, and better protect our citizens here at home and abroad by empowering the National Guard,” said Gov. Branstad. “To cut this efficient, low-cost, and effective response force in the name of cost savings is short-sighted. We should rely on the National Guard more, not less.”
Statement from U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley:
Senator Chuck Grassley made the comment below about information released today by the U.S. Air Force regarding its fiscal year 2013 Total Force Manpower Force Structure, which includes authorized manpower numbers for Iowa, including the 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines and the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City.
The Air Force document indicates a net reduction of 492 Air Guard positions in Des Moines due to recent recommendations to retire 21 F-16s in Des Moines. The Air Force document also indicates a net increase of three Air Guard positions in Sioux City.
Senator Grassley’s comment:
“Reversing this decision will take a concerted effort by National Guard advocates in Congress. So far, the effort has been significant, and there will be an opportunity to determine a different outcome when annual legislation to authorize defense spending is considered later this year.
“I’m a member of the National Guard Caucus in the Senate and plan to continue pressing for answers and a thorough review of what’s best for taxpayers and national defense. During a Budget Committee hearing last week, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and I both asked Defense Secretary Panetta to review these recommendations. In addition, 49 governors, including Governor Branstad, have expressed opposition to the Guard cuts.
“Fiscal responsibility and stewardship dictate that the Air Force should use a cost-benefit analysis that looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the active and reserve forces. It’s not clear that such a process has been used, and the Air Force needs to account for its approach.”
Statement from U.S. Senator Tom Harkin:
“Calling for the elimination of this many jobs from our states is nothing short of unconscionable – particularly given the countless missions and deployments that have been made over the last decade. The 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines has been recognized as one of the top performing units in the country. It simply makes no sense to take away its mission and cut it so deeply. To date, the Air Force has failed to satisfactorily answer a single question posed about this decision since rumors of this proposal first surfaced. The Air Force has failed to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of cutting so deeply into the guard and reserve personnel, decommissioning the 132nd Fighter Wing, or any other guard unit or the impact any of it will have on local communities. The National Guard and Reserve provide a great benefit to the nation at a lower cost than the active component. They work seamlessly alongside the active military when called to duty, while also remaining flexible and ready to help at home when needed in crisis or natural disaster. Now that Congress has the Air Force’s full proposal, I will consult with the rest of the Iowa delegation on our next steps to address our concerns.”
Statement from Representative Bruce Braley (D, IA-01):
“Stopping the Air Force’s misguided cuts to the Des Moines Air National Guard wing isn’t a partisan issue, it’s just common sense. If the Air Force’s goal is to reduce costs, downsizing the Iowa Air National Guard while more expensive units and less experienced pilots are preserved elsewhere just doesn’t add up.
“The Pentagon’s priorities are wrong, and I’ll continue working alongside Iowa’s elected leaders to stop this damaging plan in its tracks.”
Statement from Representative Dave Loebsack (D, IA-02):
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the Air Force announced that the 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines would be cut by 492 positions, which is 39% of its personnel. As the only member of the Iowa Delegation who sits on the Armed Services Committee, Loebsack has taken on the Air Force leadership regarding their proposal to retire the Iowa Air National Guard’s F-16s.
“Today’s announcement is nothing short of appalling. The Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Fighter Wing is one of the most experienced and best performing fighter wings in the Air Force. In this time of economic hardship, I have called on the Air Force to fully explain how they would plan on supporting the men and women and the families of those whose jobs would be eliminated under their proposal. I will continue to fight against any budget proposal that negatively affects the Iowa Air National Guard.”
Statement from Representative Leonard Boswell (D, IA-03):
“Today we finally learned from Air Force officials how their force structure proposal would affect personnel particularly with the 132nd Fighter Wing. I continue to have serious doubts as to what real savings would be achieved with these suggested cuts to the Air Guard which are disproportionate to what the Air Force is facing.
“Here we are a month after the initial announcement slowly learning the real impacts on manpower. If this is supposed to be about responsibly reducing the budget, this data should have already been known and factored into their analysis. I believe the Air Force needs to go back to the drawing board.”
At this writing, I have not seen any public comment from Representative Steve King (R, IA-05). I will add one if it appears. Christie Vilsack, King’s Democratic challenger in the new IA-04, criticized King last month for attending the CPAC conference in Washington while the rest of Iowa’s Congressional delegation met with Air Force officials to try to save the 132nd Fighter Wing.
UPDATE: Here’s King’s statement:
“At a time when the American people are demanding that their tax dollars be stretched as far as possible, it makes no sense to cut the National Guard,” said King. “The Guard is an extremely effective and efficient component of our nation’s military, and Iowa’s Guard units are among the best in the country. The Air Force still has much to explain about the basis for its decision to remove the 132nd’s F-16s and the nearly 500 positions that go with them, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House, Senators Grassley and Harkin, and Governor Branstad to demand answers and action.”