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| Wilson Urges Congressional Involvement in Setting Criteria for Base Realignments and Closures |
March 18, 2003 |
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Questions the effectiveness of Base Closures
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson today addressed a budget hearing of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee. In her remarks, she challenged the Department of Defense to show the need for another round of Base Realignments and Closures (BRAC). Wilson contends that the practice is not effective and cannot be justified.
“There is very weak analysis that money has been saved during the last five rounds of base closure. I believe that strategy should drive force structure, and force structure should determine basing. Each military base plays a crucial role in our national defense and we should be strengthening our military capabilities, not tearing them down,” said Wilson.
Wilson pushed Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, Raymond Dubois, to consult Congress when crafting guidelines for the next round of base closure due to be published on December 31, 2003.
Locally, Wilson has consistently worked to maintain Kirtland -- helping secure over $50 million in construction funds over the last five years, in addition to a $173.3 million dollar privately funded housing program -- and to keep its mission strong so that when there is another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in 2005, it will be in good shape and less likely to be a target for closure.
Just last week, Wilson announced approval of the $173.7 million housing project at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB). When the project is complete, the Base will have a total of 1,078 units and will also have a commitment from the contractor to renovate or replace each of the units within 25 years of the last renovation or construction.
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