Photo: 188th Fighter Wing
LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) -- There are proposed changes for the U.S. Air Force and they could impact bases in Arkansas.
The Air Force outlined recommended plans Friday as part of President Obama's budget heading to Congress this month. There are impacts on the two Arkansas Air National Guard wings, one in Fort Smith and the other at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Here in Central Arkansas, we're looking at a proposal to retire some of the C-130 fleet and that could reduce the training mission down the road at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Three C-130s would be retired over the next five years; two from the Air Force Reserve and one from the 189th Air Lift Wing, which is part of the Arkansas National Guard. They also plan to exchange 14 older C-130s for new ones, overall at Little Rock Air Force Base.
In Fort Smith, the 188th Fighter Wing could see a proposed transition to a remotely-piloted aircraft mission next year. Officials say a pilot will still fly the planes, but there are no details yet on the full operation crews.
"While there are a lot of uncertainties with this mission, the very fact that we have a mission here in Fort Smith is something to be excited about," said Brigadier General Dwight Balch with the Air National Guard.
Some of Arkansas' congressional delegation are not happy about this news.
In a written statement, Senator John Boozeman said, "This is a poor decision for Arkansas and our nation as a whole." And Senator Mark Pryor wrote, "After reviewing the Air Force's proposed changes, I am concerned about the plans for the future."
There were no announcements Friday for potential job cuts in this proposal, but we could know something by early March.
An Arkansas National Guard spokesman did tell Today's THV that losing about 65 C-130s across the country in this plan could mean a reduced training staff for their Little Rock Air Force Base wing, since that is one of the largest C-130 training bases nationwide.
All of this must be approved by Congress; members get a first look at the president's budget on February 13th.
STATEMENT FROM THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD
ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. - The Arkansas National Guard was informed today that the Air Force proposal to re-structure the force includes the 188th Fighter Wing's transition from the A-10 Thunderbolt II to a remotely piloted aircraft mission in Fiscal Year 2013.
Remotely piloted aircraft are the newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aerial platforms in the Air Force inventory, used extensively the past ten years to support the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 189th Airlift Wing is also included in the proposal with the retirement of one of its nine C-130H aircraft in fiscal year 2017. The Air Force proposal is a part of the President's budget which is scheduled to be presented to Congress Feb. 13.
Potential changes in the affected units' manpower have not been announced by the Department of Defense at this time.
"Undoubtedly some of our Airmen may be disappointed by the announcement, but what is important now is that we remain focused and maintain force structure, readiness and professionalism of the Guard to meet the future needs of the state and nation," said Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, the adjutant general of Arkansas.
Army budget and force structure changes are not projected to impact Arkansas Army National Guard units in the near future.
The announcement comes on the heels of the January 12 release of the Defense Strategic Guidance that outlined the Department of Defense's plan to find $487 billion in savings over the next 10 years.
The 188th Fighter Wing is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan this spring to provide close air support in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 188th recently returned from the first combat deployment of its A10 fleet in 2010.
The wing is currently authorized approximately 1,000 airmen, with a full-time staff of approximately 350 with 21 assigned A-10 aircraft.
The Arkansas Air National Guard has had a presence in Fort Smith since the 1950s, and have flown several fighter aircraft, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, until the Base Realignment and Closure Commission mandated the switch to the A-10 airframe in 2006.
"Fort Smith remains important to the future of the Arkansas National Guard, and we plan to make full use of the demographics and existing infrastructure there," said Wofford. "We will continue to pursue missions and opportunities with the 188th, and at the Fort Smith facilities."
The 189th Airlift Wing is located at the Little Rock Air Force Base, and is the primary training hub for legacy C-130 aircraft operations. The wing trained nearly 400 students and flew more than 4,400 hours in nine C-130 H model aircraft in fiscal year 2011.
During the past year, both Air Guard units were integral in the Arkansas Guard's 73 domestic missions within the state. The 189th supported winter response missions in Pulaski County, tornado response in Faulkner County and flood response missions.
The 188th also supported winter weather operations in northwest Arkansas as well as deploying its Disaster Relief Beddown System (DRBS) to southeast Arkansas after severe flooding hit the region. The DRBS allowed the Arkansas Guard to house, feed and take care of troops sent in to communities hit with record flooding in eastern Arkansas.
"Even with these proposed changes, the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard will remain a strong and ready force," said Wofford. "We are dedicated to our Airmen, families and employers, and committed to addressing the concerns of the affected service members and their families."