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For Immediate Release
05/13/05
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Senator Pippy and Rep. Mustio urge coordinated effort to save bases, jobs

911th ARS and the Kelly Support Facility targeted for closure  

State Senator John Pippy (R-37) and Rep. Mark Mustio (R-44) today urged a coordinated effort among local, state and federal officials to save Pennsylvania military installations targeted for closure, including three local facilities, and keep jobs here. 

"The proposed closures, if they receive final approval, would have a severe impact on our local economy and place hundreds of jobs in jeopardy," Senator Pippy said. "We must act quickly and in coordination to send a clear message that we are committed to taking whatever actions necessary to keep those bases and those jobs here in Pennsylvania." 

Rep. Mustio commented, "Dating back to my days as a Supervisor in Moon Township, Senator Pippy and I have worked closely to prevent the loss of our military jobs.  I urge not only government officials but also our residents to continue to work together to prevent the loss of these facilities."  

"Based on the results of our petition drive, I know there is great support in the community for this effort.  We were successful working together in the past to save the 911th and we can work together again to save these facilities," said Mustio. 

Among the locations on the list for closure released by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld today are the 911th Air Reserve Station and the Charles E. Kelly Support Facility. The 99th Regional Readiness Command is scheduled for realignment by the Pentagon. 

Closure of those sites would have a severe impact on the economy of Western Pennsylvania, Senator Pippy stressed. 

• The 911th Air Reserve Station – supports 322 full time positions, 44 military personnel and 278 civilians

• The Charles E. Kelly Support Facility in Oakdale -- It houses four army reserve units and four other federal agencies, along with direct and general support services for 400 Army Reserve units/detachments across six states. Other agencies include the commissary and Army/Air Force Exchange Service, selling $2.6 million in goods annually. The next nearest Post Exchange to Pittsburgh is 200 miles away.  The Oakdale site employs 310 fulltime positions – 174 military and 136 civilians.

• The 99th RRC – It commands a total of 59 reserve unit locations, 15 maintenance support facilities and 148 equipment concentration sites within the Commonwealth and units in four other states and the District of Columbia, along with four subordinate commands.  The RRC employs 220 full time positions – 199 military and 101 civilian. 

"This must be a bipartisan effort and involve all levels of government to prevent losing these facilities and jobs," Senator Pippy said. "When you add these proposed closings and job losses to those that we have sustained in the past, the impact is devastating.  Pennsylvania has taken more than its fair share of closures and reductions during the four previous BRAC rounds." 

Senator Pippy co-sponsored Senate Resolution 44, a measure urging Pennsylvania's Congressional Delegation to work with the Governor to develop a comprehensive Statewide Base Retention and Development Program "to protect our existing bases and aggressively seek to expand our military presence in the BRAC process and beyond." 

Under the resolution, the General Assembly and the governor would also ensure that sufficient funds are made available to provide local Base Development and Retention programs the opportunity to maximize the potential of their bases and increase their chances of remaining open. 

The Pentagon recommended closing 188 military installations nationwide. The federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission will hold hearings on the recommendations, and could make additions or subtractions. The commission's list will be sent to Bush by Sept. 8. If he accepts that plan, he would forward the list to Congress, which can approve or reject it entirely but not make changes.

CONTACTS:
Representative Mark Mustio (412) 262-3780
Matt Campion [Office of Senator John Pippy] (412) 262-2260