'Hard work has paid off'

Abilene Reporter News: Special Reports: "U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer and Abilene officials today praised the Pentagon’s proposal to locate all B-1s to Dyess Air Force Base, but vowed to fight the additional proposal to relocate the base’s C-130s to out-of-state installations."

I suppose if Neugebauer can take credit for this, than Thune and Lott should be accepting blame. But it seems tacky to voice a desire to keep the C-130s as well. Abilene would be devastated by the loss of Dyess. But the entire state of S. Dakota will be hurt by the loss of Ellsworth. So questioning the decision to relocate the C-130s just smacks of selfishness.

And I say that wanting those big clumsy looking birds. I wouldn't be here, or even in Texas if it weren't for Dyess. My Dad relocated here in '68 to help keep them flying. He retired here after 20 years in the Air Force. Dad died just about this time last year. When I see a C-130 pass overhead, I think of him. He spent the 20 years after his Air Force retirement as foreman of a big diesel truck shop. But he never stopped calling his mechanics his troops. So I would miss seeing C-130s overhead. But I'd take a few more B-1s in exchange any day.

I also agree with the argument being put forth by the defenders of Ellsworth. It doesn't seem wise to put all of your expensive B-1 eggs in one basket in one basket in West Texas, famous for its tornados. I realize that a B-1 is a big, heavy plane, but I think that an F5 tornado with 250 mph winds, tossing around debris the size of pickup trucks would probably mess up a flightline full of them. I've seen half-a-dozen tornado watchs and warnings pop up on my computer just in the past week. Just a thought.