Delaware Airlift Unit Down but Still Deploying After BRAC Bad News

On May 19,10 members of the Delaware Air National Guard's 166th Airlift Wing deployed for Iraq. It's almost certain that when they return, many of them will start looking for new military jobs.

Wing members learned last month that the 166th was among 30 Air Guard flying units (list, page 25) slated to lose their aircraft under the Defense Department's recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission.

The proposed change leaves the future of the unit in doubt, which comes as a devastating blow to the unit and the surrounding community.

Tech. Sgt. Clifford Snyder, a full-time member of the unit, is married with three children. His wife is a student, working toward a nursing degree and he is the only income-earner in their household.

"The thought of possibly conning back from Iraq having to look for another job is going to be stressful on the family," he said. "It's going to be real hard."

Until November, when the recommendations on the list could be made final, many members will lay in wait.

Senior Airman Sean MacLaren said he's confident that legislators in Delaware are fighting "tooth and nail" against the recommendations and that he might not have anything to worry about.

"My concern is not great at the moment," he said. "I'm a little more focused on the deployment. I'll worry about BRAC when I get back in the states."

Tech Sgt. Vince Freeo echoed Airman MacLaren's confidence in the chain of command but said that because the decision-making comes much more from congressional, presidential and senate leadership, that "it doesn't give an airman a whole lot of hope that things will be any different than they are," especially since "the standards are so high for exceptions to be made."

BRAC is recommending that the unit's eight C-130s be moved to Charlotte, N.C., and Savannah, Ga. The wing's Aeromedical Squadron may be moved to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and the firefighting and cargo-handling units would relocate to Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Lt. Col. Mike Feeley and Lt. Col. Mike Castaldi, senior members of the 166th's 142nd Aeromedic Evacuation squadron, may have to restart their careers.

"This couldn't have come at a worse time. I have 15 years in and I'm 46 years old. If I don't get 20 years, I basically get nothing," Colonel Feeley said. "I get a severance package of some sorts but I basically have to start a new career because there's no good program out there to place me in."

Colonel Castaldi said he only wants what's best for his country and hopes that what's best for the country is good for him as well.

"I made a career and commitment to serving the country and I'd like to continue doing that in some way and I am very concerned that the BRAC recommendations could cause me not to be able to do that anymore," he said.

Sergeant Freeo, who lives in Maryland, says his commute will go from one-and-a-half hours to three after the change.

"Because I'm a senior in college I'm able to contribute a lot of my hours that I'm not in college at the unit," he said. "Going to McGuire or any other base that distance away, would definitely affect how I'm able to contribute to the organization and give support to the community."

Tech. Sgt. Robert Stewart said he believes unit members will continue to volunteer but that the numbers will be far less, mainly because so many will be scattered in distant places. They won't know about the various community events that may come up.

Sergeant Freeo said he understands that BRAC closures sometimes become necessary but that he thinks the chain of command needs to look at the synergy and dedication of the unit the recommendation affects not just planes or tools or equipment or career fields.

Particularly because the nation is at war, while trying its best to recruit and retain its numbers, news like this is demoralizing, distracting and discouraging to existing members and potential new ones, he said.

"It's kind of like you're on overload already trying to meet the standards and then BRAC comes out and takes the wind right out of your sails."

-By Erika N. Cotton

Copyright National Guard Association of the United States Jun 2005
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