NADEP JACKSONVILLE NOT AMONG FACILITIES RECOMMENDED FOR CLOSURE OR REALIGNMENT

Washington, Jul 14, 2005 - In April, Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-6th) contacted Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and outlined the value of the Naval Air Depot in Jacksonville, and urged that it not be among the facilities to be closed or realigned. In his letter Stearns noted, "Getting our naval aviators, crews, and material skyward is critical, and NADEP Jacksonville is an exemplary depot in its efficiency, accuracy, and dedication to the mission and to our nation's security." Stearns followed with specific examples of the excellent work of NADEP Jacksonville. NADEP Jacksonville was not among the facilities affected by the Department of Defense's recommendations released in May.

Stearns recently received a response from the Under Secretary of Defense, Kenneth Krieg, on behalf of Secretary Rumsfeld addressing Stearns' concerns. Krieg stated, "As required by law, military value was the primary consideration in analyzing and making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations."

"I am encouraged by the Pentagon's response to my effort to outline the value of NADEP Jacksonville in that it was not among those recommended for realignment or closure in May, and that this decision reflected that 'military value was the primary consideration.' This bodes well for the facility as the BRAC Commission reviews the Pentagon's recommendations."