Sound Off: Defense Spending Cuts To Affect Moon-Area Military

The Air Force last week announced plans to shutter the Moon-based 911th Airlift Wing as a part of an $8.7-billion military restructuring. 

Those cuts, which come as U.S. operations wind down in Iraq and Afghanistan, also could affect Moon's 171st Air National Guard Refueling Wing — four of the station's KC-135 tanker refueling planes will be retired as part of the initiative. Each of the 911th's 130 aircraft will be permanently grounded. 

The Air Force a "changing geopolitical environment" for the reductions. Multiple units and stations are planned to undergo a realignment, but the 911th is the only base set to close. 

The Air Force did not address its plans for handling the assignments of more than 1,300 personnel now assigned to the 911th, which draws reservists from several states.

Local lawmakers, including Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, said they would work to the reductions, which will require congressional approval before they can take effect. 

What do you think? Will the cuts affect you or your loved ones? What impact do Moon's military bases have on the community's economy? And how should the military move forward in a post-Iraq War era?

Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments, or @reply us on Twitter at Twitter.com/MoonPaPatch.