Going, Going...

Things aren't looking any better for the 183rd staying in Springfield:

[U.S. Senator Dick] Durbin acknowledged that the efforts to get the 183rd off the realignment list were a "long shot," adding, "But we think we have strong evidence to make that case."

He said part of the effort could include asking other states with Air National Guard facilities facing closure or realignment to join Illinois in a court challenge.

Last Wednesday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a press release stating that she would sue the federal government if any Illinois Guard bases were scheduled for closure.

She contended that federal law requires gubernatorial permission to close a Guard base. But since Springfield's base would not be closed, Madigan backtracked on Friday and has decided to take some time to assess the situation.

Then there's this news:

[Springfield Mayor Tim] Davlin said one of the most expensive impacts from losing the 183rd would be the need to create a fire department for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. The Guard currently provides a civilian firefighting crew for the entire airport in lieu of any lease payments.

"The cost to replace that - it's something I don't even want to think about," Davlin
said.

Greaaaat.

To me losing the 183rd is like losing a city landmark. It's been here since the 1940s. I remember seeing the jets fly out of Capital Airport as a very young child. That was back in the days when you could go outside the airport, up some stairs and watch the planes from an observation deck. I've seen the 183rd go through three kinds of aircraft. And how will the city know it's 10:00 am if we don't hear the roar of the jets overhead? Sigh.