Moon Twp. bulking up on military installations

Sep 29, 2008 (Beaver County Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- LCC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- MILITARY FUTURE IN MOON TOWNSHIP

Coming:

--A large commissary and post exchange

--Vehicle maintenance facility

In talks:

--Relocating at least two Army Reserve units from West Virginia

--A Federal Emergency Management Agency staging area

--Post for increased joint forces training

MOON TWP. -- Moon Township, already home to three significant military installations that pump more than $150 million a year into the region's economy, could develop an even greater military presence.

Plans to build a large commissary and post exchange in Moon appear to be moving forward thanks to an $8.2 million earmark contained in a defense spending bill passed by the U.S. House last week. With that money, U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-18, Upper St. Clair Township, said the project would be fully funded.

A $32.4 million vehicle maintenance facility near the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing that could employ up to 150 guard mechanics is in the works.

And Murphy said during a recent stop in Moon that he has been involved in talks to place several new military units and a Federal Emergency Management Agency staging area near Pittsburgh International Airport as well.

"It's the ideal setting," Murphy said.

A NEW HOME

Murphy, who is up for re-election this year, said there have been talks about relocating at least two Army Reserve units from West Virginia to the McGarrity Army Reserve Center off Business Route 60 in Moon, the former home of the 99th Regional Readiness Command Headquarters.

The 99th has dramatically reduced its presence there while gradually relocating its operations to Fort Dix in New Jersey. McGarrity's largest tenant now is the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, a command center for logistics units from Virginia to Maine. More than 200 reservists from the 316th are based in Moon full time, according to the 316th's Maj. John Dowling.

Murphy said there have also been discussions about making Moon a post for increased joint forces training, noting that the Navy Marine Corps Reserve Center in North Versailles Township is no longer big enough for its training operations and would be a good candidate for relocation to Moon. Murphy wouldn't identify other potential joint-forces units, but said they are from multiple states.

"When you're looking at (making Moon) a permanent home, it's an ideal place because it's easy to fly into and out of, there is easy access by highway, there is room for growth and the military infrastructure is already there," Murphy said, referring to the long-standing presence of military installations in Moon.

"There are a number of advantages," he said, noting that the planned commissary could help attract even more military units to the region.

Tom Fontaine can be reached online at tfontaine@timesonline.com.

MILITARY BENEFITS

The military is big business in and around Moon Township, where the Air Force Reserve, Pennsylvania Air National Guard and Army Reserve currently have sizable installations.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 171st Refueling Wing has an overall economic impact of $79 million a year, said budget officer Lt. Eric Munshower.

That includes all money earned and spent by guardsmen in the region, travel, on-base construction projects and money spent by the base on everything from utilities to supplies.

More than 400 guardsmen are stationed at the 171st full time, but 1,400 are assigned to the wing and regularly report there for training. About 10 percent live out of the commuting area, often spending nights in area hotels and dining at local restaurants during their stays, Munshower said.

But even commuters and full-timers are pumping money into the economy.

Second Lt. Shawn Walleck of the Air Force Reserve's similarly sized 911th Airlift Wing echoed Munshower.

"I live in Washington County and commute back and forth, but I spend a lot of my money here (in and around Moon). If I have a doctor's appointment or need my car inspected, I'll do it on my lunch break instead of taking a half-day to do those things at home," Walleck said.

The 911th, which has 1,268 reservists assigned to the base and 310 full-timers, has an overall economic impact of $90 million a year, Walleck said.

"It's really a blessing to have them here, especially because the region took such a big hit with US Airways," said Moon Supervisors Chairman Tim McLaughlin.

"And beyond the economic benefits, it gives you a sense of pride that you're located in a community with such a military presence."

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