By Tom Weber, KWMU
Washington, DC – The U.S. Air Force Wednesday confirmed plans to retire a fleet of flying ambulances based at Scott Air Force Base.
KWMU first reported in May that the President's budget included no money for the C9. Scott's ten C9's will go away by September, meaning the loss of more than 500 jobs.
But Illinois lawmakers in Washington hope to get at least partial funding for another year, which might buy time to try to lure another mission to Scott.
But Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and Congressmen Jerry Costello are working to keep the C9 active. Costello says the C9 retirement will not affect Scott's future when the Defense Department starts closing more bases in 2005.