MOON, Dec. 28 – State Rep. Robert F. Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, joined Gov. Tom Corbett, Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig and a bipartisan group of lawmakers Friday in an effort to stop the Defense Department from closing the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township.

"As it stands, we in Pennsylvania still believe that the Air Force did not take into consideration all the data before recommending the closure of the 911th," Matzie said.

"The 911th is important both to national security and to our local economy," he said. "Closing this unit will have negative impacts at local, state and national levels. We are committed to doing what it takes to keep this unit open and operational."

Matzie pointed out that the 911th Airlift Wing, which employs about 1,900 people, is one of few military bases in the country adjacent to a major airport.

Matzie noted that, in April, the state House adopted a resolution he co-sponsored to save the 911th Airlift Wing. The resolution (H.R. 636) encourages the president and the U.S. Congress to reconsider the closing.

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