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| Wilson: State Must Welcome New Missions |
October 27, 2003 |
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| Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson, who has opposed BRAC on every vote, today briefed Lt. Governor Denish on her efforts in the House to help preserve New Mexico’s bases, and asked for Denish’s help on three key matters.
Wilson asked Denish to:
• Urge the Pentagon and Senate to accept the House proposed limits on BRAC contained in the House version of the Defense Authorization Bill;
• Support Wilson’s proposed language attached to this year’s Defense Authorization Bill to move forward with the New Mexico Training Range Initiative; and
• Direct the State BRAC office to identify missions at bases in other states that would be better located in New Mexico.
Limiting BRAC Cuts
Led by the House Armed Services Committee, on which Wilson serves, the U.S. House has passed provisions in this year’s Defense Authorization Bill that would improve New Mexico’s position heading into the 2005 BRAC review. These provisions would set a minimum force structure below which the DOD could not cut, would require that the Pentagon keep enough “head room” to be able to expand in a crisis, and require the Pentagon to list at least half of U.S. bases that are mission-essential that will not be eligible for closure.
“The House version of this year’s defense bill reduces the risk to military bases in New Mexico,” Wilson said. “I asked Lieutenant Governor Denish to encourage Senator Bingaman to use his influence to accept the House provisions.”
The House-passed provisions that would reduce the risk to New Mexico’s bases include:
• A unanimous vote by the BRAC Commission would be required to close a base.
• The Pentagon could not cut infrastructure below the 1991 Base Force Structure.
• The early identification of half of all bases that would be excluded from consideration for closure.
High Speed Air Training
Wilson urged Denish to support the New Mexico Training Range Initiative to modify airspace in eastern New Mexico to conduct more realistic combat training. The effort would expand the zones for supersonic maneuvers at medium altitudes.
The FY03 Defense Authorization Bill directed the Air Force to complete a feasibility study on expanding and modifying airspace in New Mexico for realistic supersonic combat training. The feasibility study is complete and Wilson asked Denish to support the rapid approval of these new air corridors.
Identifying Missions to Come to New Mexico
Wilson asked Denish to use the state BRAC office to identify missions in other states that should move to New Mexico.
“We should be pro-active in this BRAC round,” Wilson said. “New Mexico should be identifying missions and jobs that should come to our state when bases in other states close.”
Media reports have suggested that the Defense Department could recommend to Congress that nearly 25 percent of the current base structure be eliminated. Wilson opposed establishing a new BRAC process, which Congress approved in 2001. Wilson voted against the defense authorization legislation in 2001 because it included BRAC language.
“From the beginning, I have been critical of this BRAC effort,” Wilson said. “But I`m committed to working with the New Mexico delegation and the Governor’s Commission to continue to position our bases so that we benefit from this process.”
Wilson’s three-pronged approach to protecting New Mexico’s bases over the last five years has included: maintaining missions and strengthening base infrastructure; supporting a strong grassroots marketing effort; and, establishing BRAC criteria that strengthens New Mexico`s position.
For the past five years, Wilson, the only member of New Mexico’s delegation to serve on the Armed Services Committee, has voted to secure scarce funding to keep Kirtland Air Force Base in good repair with more than $83 million in military construction projects in addition to $173 million in private funds for new housing.
“I look forward to working with the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and local leaders to protect and strengthen New Mexico’s contribution to national defense,” Wilson said.
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