Retired general tries to save Air Guard base in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A retired major general is trying to stop proposed changes at Will Rogers Air National Guard base that include moving the 137th Airlift Wing.<br/><br/>The Pentagon proposes moving

Monday, July 18th 2005, 9:53 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A retired major general is trying to stop proposed changes at Will Rogers Air National Guard base that include moving the 137th Airlift Wing.

The Pentagon proposes moving the 137th to Tinker Air Force Base and sending the unit's C-130 Hercules aircraft to bases in Texas and Missouri. The proposal calls for Will Rogers to change its mission from airlifting troops and supplies to flying and maintaining KC-135 refueling planes.

But retired general Stan Newman is leading a letter-writing campaign with other retired officers and families of current Guard members. So far they've sent about 100 letters to Senator Jim Inhofe in protest of the proposal.

Newman says it defies logic that a "Blue Ribbon" unit will lose its airplanes, change missions and move to an overcrowded Tinker Air Force Base.