02.06.15

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE IN SCHENECTADY TO KEEP TWO CRUCIAL C-130 AIRCRAFT THAT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO BE MOVED ELSEWHERE

U.S. Air Force Had Initially Scheduled to Move Two C-130 Planes From Base in Schenectady, But Those Planes Will Now Stay Put – Will Preserve Stratton’s C-130 Force

Schumer, Gillibrand: Keeping These Two Military Aircraft Will Keep Schenectady Base Strong

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Schenectady will keep two C-130 “wheelbird” aircraft that had been scheduled to be moved elsewhere. These aircraft are particularly important because they support the National Guard when the ski-equipped aircraft are conducting a polar mission. These aircraft are used for homeland security, emergency response, and training. The U.S. Air Force was initially scheduled to move these two C-130 planes elsewhere from Schenectady due to budget cuts, a move that was announced in 2012. These aircraft have been in limbo since the 2012 announcement and plans to move them elsewhere have now been reversed. Schumer and Gillibrand said keeping this military aircraft in Schenectady means the Capital Region base will be kept at the forefront training and research missions.

“The Stratton Air National Guard Base is a vital local economic resource for the Schenectady community and the Capital Region, and it’s a national resource for scientific research with a unique fleet of polar-capable aircraft. Keeping these critical C-130 planes, which help keep the base strong when other aircraft are conducting polar missions, means the National Guard members in Schenectady will continue to have the resources and equipment they need to do their job,” said Senator Schumer. “This is great news for Stratton, and I am pleased that the Air Force has reversed its decision to move this crucial training aircraft elsewhere when they can be put to great use right here in the Capital Region.”

“I’m pleased that Stratton Air National Guard Base will keep two C-130 aircrafts that allow it to continue all of its missions,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Stratton is a vital economic anchor in the Capital Region and with its unique capabilities, the base is a critical national resource.” 

Stratton Air Base directly supports 1,262 jobs and has an estimated economic impact of over $100 million based on their payroll, expenditures, and the secondary jobs the base supports. The Stratton Air National Guard Base has ten primary aircraft assigned to it, and now will have twelve.

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