KXLH: Officials react to possible loss of F-15s at MT ANG
The announcement that the Montana Air National Guard may lose its F-15 mission and gain a C-27J cargo mission has civic and political leaders concerned about the possible impact on both the Guard and the Great Falls economy.
Brett Doney of the Great Falls Development Authority said via e-mail: “Winning the new C27J mission is a victory for Montana and Great Falls. We’ve been faced with the prospect of no-flying mission for the MANG starting in FY 2012. We’ve known since we won the F15 mission that Congress had allocated them to the MANG only until FY 2012. Now we have a new flying mission to build on. The Development Authority will continue to support the MANG, Defense Alliance, Governor and Congressional delegation in working to get more new missions.”
U.S. Senator Max Baucus issued the following statement: “The Airmen that serve at the Montana Air National Guard are the best in the world and the Air Force can’t find better airspace than Big Sky Country. While I am confident MANG will excel at any mission it is given — we’ve got to fight for new opportunities not only to maintain but to expand military missions in Great Falls. It’s the right thing to do for our country and brings good paying jobs home to our state.”
