The United States Air Force is actively pursuing support for a new proposal to begin shutdown of the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon once the temporary law preventing closure expires in March of 2013.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, who had helped get the provision written into law, sponsored a community meeting tonight in Moon urging constituents to combat this move by contacting U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey asking them to back an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 or Bill 3254. This amendment would allow for the bill to apply to bases with more than 1,000 reservists.

Currently, there are more than 1,100 reservists and less than 300 civilian employees stationed at the 911th.

If passed as written, the bill would block closure of the base until Sept. 30, 2013.

The bill should be taken up by the Senate later this week.

First Published: November 27, 2012, 4:15 a.m.