Duluth, MN (Northlands NewsCenter) -- It's a major change in the way the US Air force does business, and it's about to have a major impact on the Duluth economy. City and State leaders have spent the last few years trying to make Duluth's 148th Fighter Wing an Active Association Base. Today that goal was reached after the United States Air force announced Duluth was one of four.
This news comes seven years after the Duluth Fighter wing was part of the Base Realignment Enclosure Announcement, a plan that would have eliminated their fighter jets last year.
With support from Senator Amy Klobuchar and the Duluth Chamber among others, the 148th will be able to increase the wing's capability to deploy as well as increase the experience level of active duty airmen and women.
The number of Service people who will come to Duluth have not been determined, but Colonel Frank Stokes says past reports have indicated somewhere between 40 and 50 airmen. Stokes also says the number of assigned aircraft will increase from 15 to 18.
The increase of personnel is expected to bring a huge boost in economy based on the people tentatively projected.
"Based on around 40 and 50 (people), we think it's about a four point seven million, just under five million dollar increase. That number is based primarily on the Air Force's pay structure."
"Our National Guard Base, the 148th, is so great up in Duluth that we're getting a special designation to train active duty."
Senator Amy Klobuchar is happy that the base will be able to provide 35 percent of Air Force capabilities for six percent of the budget. This will allow large amounts of cost savings to the Air Force.
Colonel Stokes says it is too early to tell if the base will need any facility upgrades after becoming an Active Association base. Right now, the base can comfortably handle one thousand people, more than enough for the amount of service people coming in the future. Also note, there hasn't been a time set for when people will arrive to Duluth.
US Senator Al Franken also released a statement on the announcement.
"The Air Force made the right decision in moving forward with making Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing an Active Associate unit, and it's outstanding news for everyone involved. As I explained to the Secretary of the Air Force, the 148th is an ideal candidate for active association and Duluth offers many advantages for active personnel. This decision will help secure Duluth’s role in providing for our national security in an era of tight defense budgets."
Jordan Weinand
jweinand@northlandsnewscenter.com
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