Guard Will Reportedly Depart Moffett, Leaving Airport Future Uncertain

The Pentagon is reportedly set to announce that it's pulling the Air National Guard out of Moffett Field (CA), even as NASA looks at closing down its Ames Research Center there. The result: what Carl Honaker, chairman of the San Jose Airport Advisory Commission calls "a sucking chest wound in regard to airfield services."

The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal reports the Air Guard's 129th Rescue Wing will be moved to Castle AFB near Atwater (CA). With the Guard goes Moffett's firefighting capabilities.

And local leaders say, as the Guard goes, so goes NASA.

"We feel bad about the prospect of the Guard leaving," says Mountain View Councilwoman Mary Lou Zoflin. "We want NASA to be viable and this would hurt that."

Ironically, Zoflin says Mountain View wants nothing more than to prevent Moffett from becoming a GA airport.

The Business Journal's reports that attitude baffles Honaker. "I don't understand the local community objections to (increase) use of Moffett Field. Think about the potential of corporate headquarters coming to communities (around Moffett) if corporate jets would be allowed in."

But Zoflin says communities that border the field are worried about increased noise, accidents and even terrorist attacks.

Pilots' best hopes may lie with the FAA. "The FAA holds airstrips jealously," Honaker told the Business Journal. "They won't let them go."

FMI: www.arc.nasa.gov/aboutames-moffetfield.cfm