Report: Langley to lose military slots under plan

NEWPORT NEWS -- A reshuffling of people and resources proposed for the Air Force would result in a net loss of nearly 400 military personnel and 18 F-15 fighters at Langley Air Force Base.

However, the base is projected to gain 125 civilian positions.

The data was contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Force Structure Announcement, which addresses structure, realignment and management decisions that are supported in President Barack Obama's defense budget.

The Air Force says the moves are aimed at achieving proper balance and a more compact fighting force.

The moves are subject to congressional approval.

Col. Matthew Molloy, 1st Fighter Wing commander, recently said the wing has been preparing for loss of the fighter jets for several years, according to a Langley press release.

The 18 F-15 Eagles will be reallocated to other Air Force and Air National Guard units.

The base is slated to gain military positions, mostly in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and aircraft maintenance.

Likewise, many of the civilian additions come in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance jobs.

However, the base would lose 570 military positions as part of moving the F-15s, which make up the 71st Fighter Squadron.

With the gains and losses, the net loss of military personnel would be 399, the Air Force says.

The shifts did not come as a surprise, agreed a spokesman for Rep. Glenn Nye, D-2nd, whose district includes Langley.

The base will still be home to the super-stealthy F-22 Raptor, which is currently the focus of debate in Congress.

The House and Senate want to purchase additional Raptors, although the numbers differ in each chamber. The Obama administration has threatened to veto any defense budget that contains money for the F-22.