A proposal to give the 107th Airlift Wing at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station another mission has been rejected by the Air Force. The proposal was in response to a Defense Department plan that cuts the mission of the 107th, threatening 845 jobs at the air base.
Merrell Lane, Chair of the Niagara Military Affairs Council, insists it is not the end of the story.
"We continue to work every avenue. We're not gong to let any stone unturned. In 2005, there were bumps in the road, and this is a bump in the road. We'll continue to work and make sure that we have something for the 107th," Lane said today.
The Council of Governors recently proposed handing the 107th a new mission involving MC-12 spy planes. Lane told reporters he's taking the Air Force's hardline stance in stride and that the Air Force position is not the final say.
"The Deputy Secretary of Defense has been appointed to continue to work with [the Council of Governors] and they met this week, so we'll just continue to fight," said Lane.
Lane was among the dignitaries on hand to greet Michael Huerta, Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, during Huerta's visit to Niagara Falls International Airport today.
The Falls air base is Niagara County's largest employer.
