The Republican representative, whose district's base is in Sacramento County, said he was impressed with the scope of the work done at the base as well as military improvements and housing there.

Travis has drawn increasing attention in the last several months, as state and federal officials representing California have begun politicking to keep the state's bases off an upcoming Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list, due this spring.

Lungren's visit will help him integrate into the local Congressional delegation's efforts to help the base, he said.

"Travis has a tremendous impact on the region," he said. "California has taken as many hits as it needs to take."

Lungren was joined on his tour of the base by local leaders who have been at the forefront of the fight for the local military installation.

Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine; Supervisor Mike Reagan; Fairfield Councilman Jack Batson; Sheree McDonald, liaison for the Travis Community Consortium; and military officials leading the state's efforts to retain its bases joined Lungren on the tour.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Alice Astafan, a member of the Council on Base Support and Retention, said the council is drafting a position paper that details the strengths and weaknesses of California's bases. The information will be used by

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to make the case for California, she said.

That the state has organized so extensively for the upcoming round of BRAC is unique, she said.

"At no time did I ever hear a governor say, 'I want to save jobs and (bases),' " she said, speaking of past closure rounds in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Travis visit by the dignitaries precedes a lobbying trip to the nation's capital that will be made later this month by a host of local officials. While in Washington, D.C., the local leaders will be talking to the local Congressional delegation and military officials.