Minneapolis airlift wing to lose 8 aircraft

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minneapolis-based 934th Airlift Wing will lose its eight C-130 Hercules aircraft next year.

Air Force officials say 82 Air Force Reserve Command aircraft at bases across the country will be retired during the 2013 fiscal year.

The changes are in response to the Budget Control Act's $487 billion in cuts from the defense budget, which will be implemented over the next decade. About $54 billion of those cuts will be applied to the Air Force.

A fighter wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard will remain in Duluth, allaying fears that the base would be closed.

Bases in 13 states will see changes in connection with the budget cuts.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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