WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNCT) — Possible changes proposed by the secretary of the Air Force could eliminate hundreds of jobs from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro.

Congressman Don Davis is a member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee. He said the proposed changes would pull a full fighter squadron of F-15 aircraft from the base. He also said that could cost Wayne County up to 520 jobs in the area.

“As a dedicated member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, I urge the Air Force to keep all four squadrons at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Wayne County, including all 94 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft or replace them one-for-one with other aircraft,” said Davis.

“Seymour Johnson is indispensable to the local economy and a crown jewel of our nation’s military installations. Losing 520 jobs and an additional 6,000 jobs from a possible menthol ban would send our already struggling regional economy into a tailspin. We will not stop fighting for Seymour Johnson and our region. Not now, not ever.”

During his questioning, Davis asked why the Air Force has yet to deliver a required report to the Committee on F-15E divestment decisions. He followed up by pressing Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to preview the report findings since the Committee had expected the report before the hearing.

Next, Davis emphasized the detrimental impact of massive job losses to the local economy. He questioned whether decisions to divest should consider the broader effects on communities and urged a balance between national security interests and the local economy. As part of this line of questioning, Congressman Davis asked the Secretary if he had any background information on Wayne County’s economy.

Davis said he has sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to not remove the squadron from the base.