The 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna is one of the biggest job creators in Trumbull County. Friday night, leaders who work closely with the base, along with local veterans, are sounding off on the Airlift Wing's economic and operational importance to the area and the country.
Drastic cuts announced by the U.S. Air Force are hitting communities all across the country. Locally, the fact that the 910th Airlift Wing will remain open is allowing many to breath a sigh of relief.
"The total economic contribution of the base is around $120 million. So, I mean, that's bigger than most businesses we have in Trumbull County," said Trumbull County Commissioner Paul Heltzel.
Heltzel remembers the fight in 2005 to keep the Vienna facility off the government's BRAC list.
"The only difficulty is that this seems to be much more broad ranging and much more serious," explained Heltzel.
Although we don't yet know how many jobs, if any, will be lost due to the 910th's net loss of two planes, local veterans are questioning the cuts. Bobby Orr, Post Commander of VFW Post 3767 in Hubbard feels President Obama's defense cuts are misguided.
"The last thing we should do is weaken our country and that's what we'll be doing," said Orr. "I believe we're on our way to Iran here pretty soon."
The 910th is unique in the fact that it's the defense department's only fixed-wing aerial spray capable unit. They also have a strong partnership with the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, including the Crash Fire Rescue Service, which was put to work just last month when a commercial flight went off the runway.
"They put airbags under the wings and jacked the aircraft up to get the wheels up so they could pull the aircraft back onto the pavement. (They) did a heck of a job at that and our hats are off to the airbase," said Dan Dickten, Director of Aviation at the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport.
As leaders prepare for the 910th's future, they argue being on the offense is best game plan.
"This area has been doing well for the last year, so it would be nice to keep that trend going," said Heltzel.
