[Letters from Niaga Falls Community to the BRAC - May 2005] Page: 100 of 320

                                
T3RAC Corn migsioll

JUL 14 2005
Re ceived
Chairman Anthony J. Principi
Base Realignment and Closure Commission
252! South (lark Street
Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22202
Dear Chairman Principi and BRAC Commissioners:
I was upset by the Defense Department's recommendaltion to close Niagara Falls Air
Force Reserve and Guard base- This recommendation is not in the nation's best interest
and the B RAC Co emission should reverse ti6s decision and remove Niagara Falls from
the closure list.
It is hard to understand why the Air Force has decided to take planes, mi ssi ons and jobs
away from so many Air Guard and Air Reserve bases and put them on more costly Active
Duty bases.
Also, even the newspapers say that we are hicing significant challenges in recruiting
during wartime. As the only remaining major military installation in Western New York,
Niagara Falls has been key cto military recruitment.
The impaut of this decision will be devastating to the New York Air National (uard and
will make the Pentagon's efforts to recruit and retain military personnel even more
di f-icult than it is now-
All New Yorkers stand wi thhe Niagara Falls/Western New York community and are
united in its support for this base. and its retention. Overturn the Pentagon's
recommendation and keep the base open.
Sincerel1y,
(A coceo rned Citien)
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