911th Airlift Wing in Moon will stay open at least through Oct. 2014

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two Pennsylvania lawmakers say the Air Force has decided to keep a Pittsburgh-area base open through at least October of 2014.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, both say they've been told the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township will remain operational.

Last year the Air Force announced plans to close the facility by September as part of a nationwide cost-cutting effort, saying that closing the base could save $354 million.

But the plan was put on hold and reviewed after surrounding communities and politicians from both parties complained that the closing doesn't make financial sense.

The base uses space at Pittsburgh International Airport. The unit includes eight C-130 refueling planes and about 2,000 personnel.

WPXI