Press Releases

Ellmers on Departure of Last Plane from Pope Army Airfield

Fort Bragg’s Representative Has Been a Staunch Advocate of the 440th Airlift Wing and Fought Against Deactivation for Two Years

Washington, June 28, 2016 | comments

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below release after learning that the last C-130H plane is set to depart from Pope Army Airfield tomorrow, Wednesday, June 29 at 9:00 a.m.

“The final C-130H plane may be leaving Pope Army Airfield tomorrow, but Congressional oversight to ensure accountability will not. I had an amendment* pass earlier this year requiring the Air Force and the Army to complete quarterly reports on the levels of air support provided to Fort Bragg – which will ensure they uphold their commitment to our paratroopers.”

“With this reckless decision, the Air Force has succeeded in taking the air out of airborne. While I have fought this decision every step of the way, it is imperative that paratroopers continue receiving the air support they need so there is no impact to training or readiness.”

Background:

As written by Drew Brooks in The Fayetteville Observer article titled, “Last 440th plane set to depart Fort Bragg this week:”

“The last 440th Airlift Wing C-130H will leave Fort Bragg on Wednesday morning, officials said Monday. The scheduled 9 a.m. flight, from Pope Field to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, will mark the end of an era for aviation on the nation's largest military installation.”

“The 440th Airlift Wing, part of the Air Force Reserve, had flown the last planes permanently based on Fort Bragg. But an Air Force decision to shutter that unit grounded the planes earlier this year, leaving Fort Bragg paratrooper units to depend on outside air crews for airborne training.”

* Click here to read the Ellmers-Hudson amendment. This amendment requires the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Army to report the number of jumps conducted at Fort Bragg and to evaluate the level of air support provided by the Air Force. These quarterly reports should be submitted to both the House and Senate Armed Services Committee.

 

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Congresswoman Renee Ellmers serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is

Chairwoman of the Republican Women’s Policy Committee.

She represents the Second District of North Carolina which includes all of Fort Bragg.

ellmers.house.gov | 202.225.4531