Plane change expected to cut W.Va. Guard jobs

An aircraft change at the West Virginia National Guard 167th Airlift Wing’s base is expected to eliminate more than 80 full-time airmen jobs.
 
     The Martinsburg base’s C-5A cargo aircraft will be replaced with smaller C-17s beginning in October 2014.
 
     The unit’s wing commander, Col. Shaun J. Perkowski, tells The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., that 86 airmen are expected to be furloughed as a result of the change.
 
     Perkowski says the Guard has reduced the potential number of furloughs by leaving positions unfilled.
 
     He says the C-17 aircraft has greater flexibility, advanced capabilities and lower maintenance needs.