Politics & Government

Vice President Joe Biden Arrives in Moon Township

Supporters of the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township await Vice President Joe Biden's arrival.

Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Moon Township today to fly out of the 911th Airlift Wing, where he was met by supporters of the soon-to-be shuttered Air Force Reserve base. 

Biden appeared at a campaign stop earlier in the day at Youngstown, Ohio's M-7 Technologies factory, where he talked about growth in the manufacturing industry and railed against Republican opponent Mitt Romney, according to the Toledo Blade

His motorcade traveled east from the Mahoning Valley to Moon Township's 911th Airlift Wing, where Air Force Two awaited him shortly after 4 p.m. 

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also waiting for him were supporters of the Moon-based wing, which has been pegged for closure as a part of a Pentagon plan to cut the Air Force's 2013 budget by $8.7 billion.

Under the , each of the base's more than 1,100 military and 280 civilian positions will be eliminated in fiscal year 2013. The wing was targeted for closure because of the age of its eight C-130 tactical aircraft, which were  in 1967. 

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A dozen supporters, many of them reservists and family members, stood near the base's entrance off Defense Avenue, hoping to catch the vice president's attention. 

"If [the Obama administration] are going to continue to rely on the reserve base and use it to park here, then we want them to realize its significance," said 911th reservist David Kraft, of Moon Township. "We want to show them what we can do. But we want them to realize how cost-effective [the 911th is] and to show them the significance of closing it." 

Local officials have the cost-savings associated with the 911th and the neighboring 171st Air National Guard Refueling Wing: Both bases share runways with Pittsburgh International, which the Allegheny County Airport Authority maintains. 

The 911th pays $20,000 a year for access to Pittsburgh International's four runways. Declines in the number of commercial flights servicing the airport have lessened air traffic, allowing for more check rides and touch-and-go flights for military aircraft assigned to the bases. 

Air Force officials said in a memo released in April that it could save more than $350 million by 2018 as a result of closing the 911th. 

Kraft said many 911th reservists were dismayed after hearing the Air Force's announcement to close the base. No date has been set for the closure. 

"At first it did hurt morale," he said. "But now I think we're excited to show people what the 911th can do and to make sure people take a fair look at it." 

Supporters waved signs as Biden's motorcade approached the base's gates. Some in the group said they were unsure if the vice president saw the protest. 

Biden appeared at the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day in March, when he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he had spoken with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, about the 911th's closure, calling it a "positive" conversation.

Communities in the Pittsburgh airport corridor as much as $114 million annually in income as a result of the 911th's closure, according to officials with Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We need to get more businesses in the area out here supporting us," said 911th reservist Ed Tarquinio, of Moon Township, just before Biden's motorcade arrived. "We do have some who are supporting us. But it's $114 million leaving the area. We need to emphasize that."

For more information on efforts to save the 911th, visit the Military Affairs Coalition of Western Pennsylvania's website. Click here to sign a petition for the base. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Sewickley