Jobs at Eglin AFB Saved?
U.S. Dist. 1 Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla, can probably be credited with his work on keeping the test wing at Eglin AFB from moving to Edwards AFB in California.
It has been a year since General Calrson unilaterally decided to save money by closing the 46th Test Wing and moving the testing to Edwards AFB. Fortunately, public outcry and many calls to both Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Miller put an indefinite hold on those plans.
To save money, materiel command has proposed realigning the test wing and two other units under the umbrella of the developmental test and evaluation center. The center would be headquartered at Edwards Air Force Base. – Northwest Daily News
Yesterday, Bob Arnold, a technical advisor for the 46th Test Wing, said that the test wing was officially not moving to Edwards.
“The 46th Test Wing is not moving,” said its technical advisor, Bob Arnold. “No capabilities will be eliminated. No people will lose their jobs.” However, workers would be permitted to move to new jobs if desired.
He stressed that the reorganization of the test wing with other similar facilities would not be a first step towards moving the test wing to Edwards. But it would actually save $200 Million. Only a fraction of what General Carlson wanted to save but far more than what would have actually been lost by the move if it had taken place.
This should be great comfort to those who depend on the jobs provided by the test wing. From the contractors who work with the DoD civilians to the home developers who were facing a glut of homes if the test wing had moved.
[...] Christian Comedian Marty Daniels wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptJobs at Eglin AFB Saved? Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Billie Kennedy Jr U.S. Dist. 1 Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla, can probably be credited with his work on keeping the test wing at Eglin AFB from moving to Edwards AFB in California. It has been a year since General Calrson unilaterally decided to save money by closing the 46th Test Wing and moving the testing to Edwards AFB. Fortunately, public outcry and many calls to both Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Miller put an indefinite ho [...]