FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers says that saving a transport plane unit based at Fort Bragg is her top priority and she is confident it can be done.
The Fayetteville Observer reports that Ellmers told members of the Military Officers Association of America on Wednesday that the chances of preserving the 440th Airlift Wing have not always looked good. But she says she says she thinks the Air Force will make the right decision.
The Air Force says it can save $116 million by eliminating the unit. Ellmers says she understands the reasoning behind the proposal. But she also calls the pending deactivation "detrimental and short-sighted."
The wing's C-130s are the only Air Force planes permanently based at Fort Bragg. Local leaders say they are important for training.
