Tucson should push for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to become a Central Operations Base instead of relying on flying missions for its long-term survival, according to a new city-commissioned study.
The study, done by Barry Blechman of the nonpartisan Stimson Center, recommends that Tucson lobby for the A-10 but recognize it has a limited life at D-M. The Air Force has proposed retiring the entire fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II close air-support jets — a mainstay of operations at D-M — in the next few years to save some $4 billion.
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