Iowa Delegation met with Donley to press case for Iowa Air National Guard F-16 Wing
Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after he joined Iowa's Congressional delegation for a meeting to urge Air Force Secretary Michael Donley to abandon plans to remove all F-16 fighter aircraft operated by the Iowa Air National Guard from their base in Des Moines:
"It's clear from today's meeting that the Air Force must provide more answers and better justification for their decision. The Iowa Delegation made clear our objections to the removal of F-16s from the 132nd Fighter Wing, one of the most cost-efficient units in the Air Force."
"If the goal is to reduce costs, downsizing the Iowa Air National Guard while less efficient units and less experienced pilots are preserved just doesn't make any sense. We urged Secretary Donley to carefully reconsider whether this recommendation is in the best interest of national security and American taxpayers.
"I am hopeful that today's meeting will result in the Air Force reversing their position. In the meantime, I'll keep working with the Iowa delegation to press our case with the Air Force and the Pentagon."
Braley met yesterday with Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Timothy Orr and senior leaders of the Iowa Air National Guard to discuss the Air Force proposal. Braley also sent a letter yesterday to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta expressing his concerns with the removal of F-16s from Des Moines.
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