2014/04/07 RESOLUTION BY THE HC BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO OPPOSE THE ELIMINATION OF THE 440TH AIRLIFT WING AT FT BRAGG NCHarnett
COUNT Y
NORTH CAROLINA
w .harnett.org
RESOLUTION BY THE
HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TO OPPOSE THE ELIMINATION OF THE
440T" AIRLIFT WING AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA
THAT WHEREAS, Fort Bragg is home to the nation's rapid deployment capability with
more than 57,000 military personnel: and
WHEREAS, Airborne and Special Operating Forces train and prepare for no- notice aerial
delivered deployment in support of homeland and global missions: and
WHEREAS. the Air Force 440" Airlift Wing, stationed at Fort Bragg, provides resident
capability to operate the rapid deployment airfield and facilitate deployment training; and
WHEREAS. Harnett County has long had a close relationship with Fort Bragg, Pope
Army Airfield and its operations, which provide an invaluable asset to the county and its
residents; and
WHEREAS. the Air Force's 2015 budget proposal submitted in early March calls for the
decommission of the 440'h Airlift Wing, and the removal of the C -130H aircraft from Fort
Bragg; and
WHEREAS, the 4401h is a critical component in the high level training and timely
deployment of our Airborne and Special Operations, providing approximately 23 percent of the
training missions for paratroopers at Fort Bragg; and
WHEREAS, the placement of the C -1)OH at Fort Bragg has proven to be a critical asset
to mission essential parameters of rapid response, global reach of the forces, and critical training
of the forces: and
WHEREAS. the C -I30J has been brought into service as a newer and faster model of the
C -130H, but none have been delivered at Fort Bragg, and plans to do so were delayed; and
WHEREAS. the C -130H aircraft would be distributed to other reserve units around the
country; and
WHEREAS, with those delays and the redistribution of the C- 130F1. the 440'h's future
mission readiness will be diminished, as the Air Force would no longer have aircraft at Fort
Bragg; and
WHEREAS, the deactivation of the 440'h and the loss of the C -130H could impact some
1,600 jobs in our community and remove some $77.8 million from our local economy; and
WHEREAS, many of those employed by the 440'h live in Harnett County and patronize
Harnett County businesses; and
strong roots • new growth
WHEREAS. millions of dollars have been spent to prepare Fort Bragg to receive the C-
1 30J including the addition of hangars, upgrades to Blue Ramp and the Pope runway and
construction of a facility to hold a C -I30J simulator: and
WHEREAS. there is limited cost savings by this move and a significant loss of habitual
training and readiness capability.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Harnett County Board of
Commissioners:
1. Strongly opposes the elimination of the 440`h Airlift Wing and the removal of the C-
13 OH aircraft from Fort Bragg.
2. Requests the Air Force's budget be modified to protect the mission - critical impact of
the 440`h.
3. Directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to Harnett County's State and Federal
representatives along with the county's municipal boards, as well as the Cumberland
County Board of Commissioners, Favetteville City Council and Spring Lake Board of
Aldermen.
Adopted this 7th day of April 2014.
HARNETT COUNYY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Joe Miller. Chairman
Ga House. Vice Chairman at c
-'
Jim lflrg i ; S9 _' v' c C. Gor
w .harneu.org
Hill