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October 7, 2010 Bangorbiz

Feds could scrap Air National Guard refueling program

By The Mainebiz News Staff

The Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor has been providing in-air refueling service to cargo planes, fighter jets and more since 2003. But that could change at the end of the month, shrinking the guard's personnel in Bangor by 150 people.

The Bangor Daily News reported that personnel orders for the 150 full-time Air National Guard members who run the Airbridge program have been extended only until Oct. 31, a departure from the usual 12-month renewal. The Airbridge program provides refueling services for aircraft traveling to military bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe, as well as medical evacuation flights returning from overseas. Wing commander Col. John D'Errico told the paper he had heard word of cuts to the program, but that he "didn't realize it was going to be so drastic."

He told the paper he hoped that the staffing levels would receive full authorization before the end of the month. About 850 Air Guard personnel are assigned to the Bangor base. If the base lost refueling work and the 150 active-duty personnel, its status would shift to a training unit, according to the paper.

According to a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who serves on the Senate Armed Forces Committee, the government is currently mulling whether refueling should be under the jurisdiction of the Air National Guard or fall instead to the Air Force, as part of a debate of military spending cuts. Collins is scheduled to meet with Air Force Undersecretary Erin Conaton today.

Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >> 

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