By AP/KWMU
Washington, D.C. – The commission that will decide which military bases will be closed or restructured heard debate Thursday on the Air National Guard issue.
The Pentagon wants to restructure dozens of Air Guard units---including the 131st Air Wing in St. Louis.
States including Illinois argue that moving fighter jets elsewhere will hinder Air Guard units from fulfilling their homeland security missions.
Pennsylvania and Illinois have sued over the proposal.
Defense officials assured the base-closing commission in Washington today that the Pentagon's plan wouldn't pose an unacceptable risk to the country's security.
But several commissioners sounded skeptical.