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Illinois efforts to keep F-16s fail

June 11, 2008 (by Asif Shamim) - Reported via Air Force Times is a AP story saying the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich last ditch efforts to keep 15 ANG F-16s belonging to the 183rd FW have failed.

Tail detail of USAF F-16C block 30 #87-0320 with markings of the 183rd FW. [Photo by Jake Melampy]

The US District Judge Richard Mills refused the govenors request to stop the move, saying there was no proof the departure will cause any major harm to Illinois.

Some of the 170th Fighter Squadron F-16 block 30 jets have already started to leave, while the remaining F-16s of 183rd Fighter Wing will be gone by September as part of the BRAC alignments.

The Governors office has said it will appeal against the ruling. Estimates say the loss of the Fighter Wing will result in the 163 job losses.