As I understand the controversy, it is a matter of numbers..
Connecticut has only a few fighters at their base due to the present commitment in Iraq..
That number is less than the number considered "efficient" for maintenance..
The government's solution is to move those planes to another base, and reach a combined total of planes that is more cost-efficient for maintaining them..
I agree with the idea..
Less cost and man-hours per plane if a certain ratio is maintained.. lower budget costs..
However, I don't think they intended on getting rid of the CT ANG pilots, but having them transported in to New Jersey, or whereever the other base is..
That's unconstitutional.. If they want to use CT ANG pilots, they have to provide for training in CT.. not NJ..
They can close the base if they want, but they can't make the pilots move to NJ, and they can't use them without an airbase in CT.. ( with an exception of 2 weeks every year.. )
That's the law..
And, like I said to the other poster, there are actual constitutional requirements that have to be met..
There are federal responsibilities, and there are State's Rights..
And there is a conflict..
Quite frankly, I understand the States want the money, etc..
But they also want to maintain their power and authority..
This could become a Supreme Court case very easily..
What if the current CT pilots are not from Connecticut but fly in from out of state to drill? One does not have to be a resident of the state in which one belongs to a guard unit.
That's unconstitutional.. If they want to use CT ANG pilots, they have to provide for training in CT.. not NJ..
They can close the base if they want, but they can't make the pilots move to NJ, and they can't use them without an airbase in CT.. ( with an exception of 2 weeks every year.. )
Wanna bet? What makes me think that your point of view will not be upheld. Common sense makes me think it.
The thing I never saw explained is why should a state pay for an Air National Guard they don't have?
I can still see where smaller states can be combined with other states to have a larger force, but major changes will have to be made.
Still the cuts are necessary. Most of these bases were set up to meet early Cold War threats. Not only have the threats changed, but today's aircraft have a longer range than even their first models. The F-22 and F-35 are going to be highly expensive compared to current aircraft.