USAF Delays Planes Shift
The Biloxi Sun Herald reports that “Air Force Reserve Command headquarters announced a delay of plans to move 10 C-130Js from Keesler Air Force Base to Pope Airfield, N.C., Keesler officials said in a news release Tuesday.”
“Keesler said the movement of planes from 815th and 345th airlift squadrons was scheduled for Oct. 1, but has been delayed until April, and could be further delayed until October 2014.’
“‘The Air Force’s decision to postpone 10 aircraft leaving Keesler is welcomed news for our employees and their families affected by the restructuring,’ said Col. Craig LaFave, commander of the 403rd Reserve Wing. ‘All future proposals to our C-130 fleet is speculative now but is tied to planned Army and Marine Corps strength reductions, which ultimately drives the need for tactical airlift. We should have more clarity over the next few months as to how their end strengths are shaping up and what that might mean for Team Keesler.'”