Alabama's Lt. Gov. Ivey meets with 908th leaders

  • Published
  • By Gene H. Hughes
  • 908th Airlift Wing
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey meets with 908th leadership Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, chairman of the state's Military Stability Commission, recently visited the 908th Airlift Wing for the purpose of preparing for any potential future round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

During her visit, she received a mission brief from 908th commanders, took a tour of one of the unit's C-130 aircraft, and went on a brief tour of the wing's facilities at Maxwell.

Ivey asked several questions, aimed at discovering what ways the state might help make the wing more difficult to include on any possible future closure lists. The 908th and its eight aircraft has been the focus in recent years, most recently last year's Force Restructuring announcement.

With strong support from the state's congressional delegation, the unit survived, and Ivey said Alabama wants to ensure the wing - and its flying mission - stays right where it is.

"Well, we don't know when it's coming, but we know it's coming," she said. "Congress could authorize it (BRAC) pretty soon, we just don't know. The name of the game is to identify possible opportunities for improvements or strengths and get those done."

Among the strengths discussed were the benefits of the wing as Alabama's only Air Force Reserve flying unit, with 50 years behind it. It provides not only airlift capabilities to the Air Force and combatant commanders overseas, but has also taken part in many humanitarian operations from Puerto Rico and the Balkans to Haiti and Pakistan.

It also supports airborne troop training for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Ivey was also informed that the wing and its 1,200-plus members (more than 880 reside within the stat's borders) has an approximate $70 million-a-year impact on the local economy. The value of jobs created is $13.2 million dollars.

This, together with the wing's pilot training, security, support and medical missions, gives the unit a firm foundation.

"We are one of very few flying organizations in the state of Alabama. We do bring a lot of economic impact to not only the state and local community," said Wing Commander Col. Adam Willis. "We have the local community's support, and the Air Force doesn't want to lose our aircraft."

Ivey stated she's looking for ways to make the 908th's case even stronger.

"We are very hopeful that everything will be fine because of their history, size, operations, and their abilities that they have proven over 50 years of service," she said. "We are optimistic, but we can't sit on our laurels. We have to be fully prepared."