Wyo. May Keep Nat. Guard Medical Unit, For Now

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming would get to keep an Air National Guard medical unit under the latest military budget proposal being considered by Congress.

In March, the Pentagon proposed cutting the Guard's 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron as part of an overall plan to cut 5,500 personnel nationwide. However, the Associated Press reported Tuesday that the plan met resistance from Guard leaders and governors, including Gov. Matt Mead.

The Pentagon and state leaders failed to reach a compromise and the latest defense appropriations bill doesn't include the National Guard cuts. If the cuts aren't incorporated into the bill this year, the issue will likely come up again next year.

The Wyoming Guard unit has 72 members. Its mission is to airlift wounded, injured and ill people.