US Dist. Judge John R. Padova in Philadelphia said Tuesday that he would provide a ruling quickly in the lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania over the Pentagon’s BRAC proposals regarding the state’s ANG units, including the 111th Fighter Wing at JRB Willow Grove. The state maintains the governor must approve any changes to ANG units. Gov. Ed Rendell said he was “optimistic” after the Tuesday hearing. The Justice Department, however, has sided with the Pentagon on this one. Several similar lawsuits are cooking in other states.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
