Pentagon to close 911st near Pittsburgh, Willow Grove

[LynneSin]

Shit - this hits both Philadelphia Region (Willow Grove) and Pittsburgh. I lived 2 miles near the base in Willow Grove and not only did it employ hundreds in the region but there were dozens of business in the area that relied on business from that base.

It's odd that they picked bases in the "blue" zone of Pennsylvania but the Red Zone (the "T" of Pennsylvania) was left untouched

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/11633979.htm

CARLISLE, Pa. - The Pentagon plans to close the 911st Airlift Wing Air Force base near Pittsburgh and the Willow Grove Naval Air Station near Philadelphia, U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Friday.

Santorum spoke Friday morning outside the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, which had been a candidate for closure. It escaped the ax, as did Letterkenny Army Depot in Franklin County, another base that state officials considered vulnerable.

This is the fifth base closure round since 1988, and the first in a decade. In the other four base closure rounds, Pennsylvania lost 16,500 jobs, and was hardest hit by the closure of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a result of the 1991 base closure round. More than 60,000 people are employed at its remaining bases.

The state has a $4.5 million base closure fund it has spent on studies, construction projects and lobbying efforts. Of that fund, $1 million has been set aside to fight the closure of any Pennsylvania bases on the list.

[leveymg]

1. 911st? n/t

[OnionPatch]

2. I wouldn't be surprised if

all the closures were in blue areas.

These guys don't take a breath without weighing the political ramifications.

Edited to add: Wow, I just saw the list and I'm really shocked that they are closing so many in red states. I guess I was wrong. :blush: Or perhaps their "strategery" is more complicated than that.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. A sudden surge in unemployment in populations well disposed

to the military = recruitment.