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Offutt’s Old Runways Stokes Fears That 55th Wind Could Leave

offutt-air-force-baseBELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Offutt Air Force Base’s single runway is crumbling.

The runway’s poor condition has some community leaders fearing the 55th Mission Support Group could leave Bellevue. The runway has endured summer storms and blizzards for 74 years as well as the pounding of takeoff and landings.

Leaders worry that without rebuilding the runway at a cost of up to $125 million, the base risks losing the Air Force’s largest air wing and its 5,500 military and civilian employees.

Losing the 55th Wing would cost the Omaha area four times as many jobs as ConAgra Foods’ decision to move its headquarters to Chicago and cut its workforce.

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