August 26, 2005

Statement of Rep. Akin On the BRAC Commission’s 131st Fighter Wing Vote

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), who testified before the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission on June 20th in opposition to closing the 131st Fighter Wing at Lambert Field, released the following statement regarding today’s decision by the Commission to move the 131st Fighter Wing from Lambert Field:

“The Commission’s vote is disappointing to everyone who cares about St. Louis and the security of our country,” Akin said. “The proposal to move the 131st Fighter Wing from Lambert Field is ill-advised and creates significant problems for the Missouri National Guard and the personnel attached to the Wing. The decision diminishes our ability to defend our country.

“Governor Blunt, Senators Bond and Talent, other Members of Missouri’s congressional delegation and the Adjutant General’s office are to be commended for their efforts during this BRAC round. We vigorously argued our case, demonstrated technical inaccuracies and laid out the facts and figures clearly. In my view, the BRAC Commission and its staff has, in this case, failed to realign our nation’s forces in a fashion consistent with the national security needs of our country.

“Also, the Commission’s decisions regarding the moving of the Human Resources Command from Overland and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service from St. Louis are disappointing, although not entirely unexpected.

“I will do all I can to help provide those affected by these decision with information about what federal resources are available to them as they transition from their current jobs,” Akin concluded.

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