U.S. Rep. McGovern joins Mass. delegation in fight for 141 jobs at Otis

Rep. Bill Keating has spearheaded a letter to the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, in a continued effort to save over 100 jobs at Otis Air National Guard Base (Otis). The letter, which was sent on Friday evening, was signed onto by the entire Massachu

Washington, DC, March 26, 2012
Rep. Bill Keating has spearheaded a letter to the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, in a continued effort to save over 100 jobs at Otis Air National Guard Base (Otis). The letter, which was sent on Friday evening, was signed onto by the entire Massachu

KEATING, DELEGATION FIGHT FOR 141 JOBS AT OTIS

Rep. Bill Keating has spearheaded a letter to the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, in a continued effort to save over 100 jobs at Otis Air National Guard Base (Otis). The letter, which was sent on Friday evening, was signed onto by the entire Massachusetts delegation, including both Senators and the dean of the House delegation, Rep. Ed Markey.

On March 6, 2012, the United States Air Force announced that Otis would be losing over 141 jobs as part of its FY2013 budget. Those 141 positions make up the entirety of the 102nd Air Operation Group (AOG) at Otis.

The delegation's argument focuses on the unique partnership between the AOG and the 608 Air Operations Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, which together make up an integral part of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The elimination of the AOG could have serious implications for our national security and intelligence gathering capabilities.

The March 23rd letter is the second one Rep. Keating, who is Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee's Oversight, Investigations and Management Subcommittee, has spearheaded on this issue. A copy of the letter is attached.