Panel questions Air Force on changes in Guard, Reserves

Members of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday criticized Air Force officials' recommendation to ground 23 Air National Guard units around the country as part of the latest round of base closures and realignments.

Several members, many of whom represent states that are home to Guard units affected by the recommendations, questioned whether the Defense Department has the authority to alter the state-run units. Members also quizzed Air Force officials about why adjutants general were not included in two years of BRAC discussions, which might result in drastic changes to the makeup of and missions for the Air National Guard.

"I think the Air Force totally ignored the states," Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee Chairman Curt Weldon, R-Pa., said during the hearing.

Weldon, one of the strongest BRAC proponents on the committee, added that he is "incensed at the lack of consideration of the Guard and Reserve." Weldon's district is just miles away from the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, where the Pentagon hopes to deactivate the 111th Fighter Wing of the state's Air National Guard.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have filed a lawsuit arguing that the recommendation to stand down the unit without Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell's consent violates the Constitution.

Others criticizing the Pentagon's recommendations included Armed Services ranking member Ike Skelton, D-Mo., who said the move presents a "real risk of damaging the historically good relationship [the Air Force] had with its reserve partners."

The hearing was scheduled to discuss the Air Force's Future Total Force initiative, a plan that will define the service's force structure and organization for the next two decades. But most of the questioning centered on the BRAC recommendations, which are indirectly tied to -- but not part of -- the total force plan. In particular, members said they were concerned that cutting the number of Air National Guard flying units would hinder recruitment and retention efforts, particularly in units whose new missions are neither defined nor funded. Lt. Gen. Stephen Wood, Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, countered that guardsmen still will be involved in every mission available to their active-duty counterparts. The Air Force currently is consulting with the Guard to determine what those missions would be. "I still think it's an open book," Wood said. "We are working this together."

During the hearing, Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, raised several concerns about the BRAC recommendations, particularly what he considers a gap between moving the aircraft and setting up new missions. "What is that bridge, what is that mission?" he asked. Blum's comments today marked a departure from statements made several months ago supporting the Air Guard decisions. Blum, who was involved in base-closure recommendations, said the bureau was "not as effective as I'd like." Adjutants general around the country will meet Friday in Washington to attempt to devise a compromise plan.