Although the BRAC commission acquiesced to the Pentagon recommendation to strip the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 111th Fighter Wing at NAS Willow Grove of its A-10s, it included a caveat in its final report that the Pentagon should consider keeping some of the Warthogs at the facility. The commission does believe DOD should close the base, turning it over for civilian use, but it “encourages” the Pentagon “to consider identifying A-10 aircraft to form an A-10 wing or detachment … at Willow Grove, PA.”
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.