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DCN 8287
BRAG Connmission
20 August 2005 AUG 2005
Received
Dear Sirs.
I am writing to voice my concerns regarding the realignment of the 130" Airlift
Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard. By taking away the 130" you will be drastically
reducing West Virginia's Home Land Security defensive strength. The members of the 130th
and their families reside in 40 different West Virginia counties which means that their children
would be uprooted and pulled out of their local schools having to start over in a new school
environment and having to make all new friends. These guardsmen participate and volunteer in
local and statewide programs like Special Olympics, Kids Camp, Youth Leaders Camp, the
mountaineer Challenge Academy, the Salvation Army Toy Drive, the Make A Wish Foundation,
Combined Federal Campaign, Anti-Drug Educational Programs, and Jr. ROTC programs, the
130"' Airlift Wing Star-base Academy, a program emphasizing math, science, technology and
goal setting for thousands of 5th graders throughout Kanawha Co. these are but a few of the
reasons that West Virginia benefits from having the 130th in our state and the list of benefits goes
on. The unit has provided countless hours of support during major flooding disasters throughout
West Virginia, has provided training to area law enforcement for Domestic Terrorism and other
security concerns. They provide assistance and support to Industries regarding Hazardous
Materials emergencies and have come to the aid of West Virginians during, Tornadoes, Forest
Fires, Droughts, snow removal and are readily available for any other similar natural or man
made disaster. Realigning the 130th Airlift Wing would be disastrous to West Virginia's
economy and to the thousands of residents who depend upon the unit for their valued support and
assistance. Businesses, jobs, schools, children and youth programs would be adversely affected
by the move. Not to mention the strain on the other West Virginia National Guard Units having
to readjust their personnel and take on additional missions, formerly handled by the 130" Airlift
Wing. I also believe that closing any military base or installation is wrong and is harmful to
America's National Security. Our military forces are already spread too thin throughout the
United States and this can only serve as a weakness in national strength and as a danger to it's
citizens. We should be reopening military bases, NOT closing them. We should be recruiting
more Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, Naval and Coast Guard personnel for full time military
service, not depending upon the guard and reserves so much. A smaller, smarter military is at the
very least ridiculous and worse than that, I feel that it is insanity. Our enemies will one day take
advantage of this and we will no longer be a land of the free. We will come under the control of
a world leader, The Anti-Christ. Maybe this sounds a little extreme. But extreme circumstances
call for strong opposition to unwise and unwanted decisions being made by people who are not
affected by their actions. I am a veteran of the United States Army and of the West Virginia
Army National Guard and I know the importance of the role the 130"' Airlift Wing plays for our
state and for the nation. Please do not remove this highly honored and valuable unit from our
state. We, the citizens of West Virginia are proud of our service members and are proud to have
such a unit of high standards and honored traditions. Thank you for your valued time and
consideration.
Sine iely.
