The Niagara Military Affairs Council and Niagara Chamber of Commerce today held an early morning breakfast briefing about the future of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
Federal budget cuts are jeopardizing units and jobs at the Falls base. So far, no new decisions have been issued and leaders of various units say for now, its business as usual.
Colonel Al Swartzmiller is commander of the 914th Airlift Wing. He says the primary role is to continue to fly the C-130's out of the base and still partner with the 107th Airlift Wing. But he admits it would be difficult to lose the 107th.
"That would be a sad day. In the last five years, we've gotten to know each other. We've gotten to build our processes together. We've learned to be efficient and effective together," said Swartzmiller.
Colonal Jim McCready, Commander of the 107th Air lift wing, told reporters they remain in a "wait and see" mode.
"We're being very proactive on any of the missions we have presently. We haven't stopped working [and] we haven't stopped performing. We're still out there doing the best we can, day to day," said McCready.
The 107th provides 850 jobs at the base and has an estimated $40 million economic impact. NIMAC's John Cooper says it could be several months before a final decision is issued. But Cooper says they are optimistic they will win their fight to preserve the work by the 107th and other units that operate out of the Falls base.
"We are very confident. We're going to win this thing. We're going to walk away with something for sure," Cooper said.
The Council of Governors recently made a counter-proposal to the Air Force about a new mission for the 107th involving MC-12 spy planes.