Governor to challenge relocation of 118th Air Lift Wing

The governor said the Department has recommended to the Base Closure and Reassignment Commission that major elements of the 118th be relocated to Kentucky, Illinois and Texas.

He said it’s against federal law for an Air National Guard unit to be relocated or withdrawn from a state without consent or approval from the governor.

The lawsuit to be filed by the end of the week seeks to enforce the rights of the governor as commander-in-chief of the Tennessee National Guard.

If the relocation takes place, Bredesen said the state would lose eight C-130 aircraft and 702 personnel, including the only deployable medical unit in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

“The loss would severely compromise the state’s ability to deal with emergencies and natural disasters, as well as impair our homeland security capabilities,” he said.

The governors of Pennsylvania and Illinois have filed similar lawsuits, and Bredesen said others are considering such action.