Senators, governor fight for military bases
Date: 2/8/2012
Feb. 8, 2012By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comWASHINGTON, D.C. — Both of the Bay State’s senators sent letters to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta last week stressing the importance of military installation in Massachusetts and both Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee and Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield were on their lists.
This news was followed by an announcement on Feb. 3 that in response to budget cuts, Air Force officials are considering a proposal to cut half of the 439th Airlift Wing’s C-5 fleet in 2016.
The reduction in the fleet would be part of President Barack Obama’s new defense strategy and the Budget Control Act’s requirements to cut $487 billion from the defense budget over the next 10 years.
The 439th Airlift Wing currently flies 16 C-5B and eight of those planes would be transferred to another base.
“The proposed changes will have an operational impact on the base, but Westover will remain a viable part of the Reserve. We are committed to fulfilling our global mobility mission,” Col. Steven Vautrain, 439th Air Wing commander, said.
“We’re going to do everything we can to take care of our people as these changes occur,” Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon, said. “We’re putting together programs to retain as many of our reservists as possible.”
While local Air Force officials did not make any comments on the fate of either base in general, the news of the evaluation and possible realignment of Westover and Barnes elicited a visit on Feb. 3 by Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray to Barnes stressing its importance.
Murray will be touring all of the Commonwealth’s military facilities in the upcoming weeks.
At Barnes, Murray announced the “Military and Community Enterprise Agreement,” which communities and local officials can sign in solidarity to commit their local support for these military sites.
Murray said, “Through proactive planning, Massachusetts has and will continue to position the state to protect our military bases. The Department of Defense has outlined projected budget cuts over the next 10 years that could impact Massachusetts bases. The strong military presence and related defense industry in our Commonwealth are critical to our economy and our residents. The Patrick-Murray Administration will work tirelessly with our federal partners to keep Massachusetts military bases open and their missions intact.”
According to statistics released in December 2011, Westover contributed $238 million into the Western Massachusetts economy from Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011.
In addition to housing the 439th Airlift Wing, the base is also home to several tenant units.
Sens. John Kerry and Scott Brown both wrote letters last week to Panetta about the importance of bases in Massachusetts.
Kerry wrote, “As you can imagine from your years in the House, there is great concern in Congress about the possibility or probability of another Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC).
“Prior to the last BRAC round I worked closely with the Defense Department to ascertain their priorities and needs, which I believe resulted in a better understanding of Massachusetts assets. Additionally as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee I think a high level of communication will be critical in ensuring any BRAC process takes into account global events and security concerns. I therefore wanted to request a briefing from the Department on their plans for BRAC as soon as possible.
“As you know, Massachusetts is the front line of our defense along the East Coast for the entire nation — Hanscom Air Force Base is a critical asset in a strategic location. We also provide the Defense Department with top notch personnel and research facilities. Across the world our brave men and women in uniform are able to execute their missions at the highest level due to technologies and equipment conceptualized, researched, developed and often manufactured in our facilities. Natick Soldier Systems Center is an incredible resource that also leverages superior higher education and technical institutions in the Commonwealth to provide cutting edge advancements.
“In addition to Hanscom and Natick, Massachusetts has four additional military installations, including the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Fort Devens, Air Station Cape Cod, and Sector SE New England in Woodshole, which are key components to our military infrastructure. Due to these important facilities the defense industry has invested in Massachusetts, creating a hot bed for innovation.”
Brown wrote, “I write to request information pertaining to the civilian personnel restructuring plan at Hanscom Air Force Base as well as the Department’s request to Congress to authorize two additional (BRAC) rounds in fiscal year 2013 and 2015. In particular, I hope to gain a better understanding of what, specifically, the Air Force restructuring plan portends for Hanscom’s future. Without a doubt, the plan to cut $487 billion from projected military spending over the next decade will require an ‘everything on the table’ approach.
“Notwithstanding that approach, I wish to convey the unique, strategic military value Hanscom provides to our national security. Additionally, I want to emphasize the importance of other Massachusetts military installations such as Natick Soldier Systems Lab, Westover Air Reserve Base, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, the Massachusetts Military Reservation (including Camp Edwards, Otis Air National Guard Base and Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod), as well Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole. Each of these installations relies on a unique high-tech talent base …
“As a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, I look forward to discussing the specifics of the Air Force’s proposed organizational and force structure changes at Hanscom, as well as any plans for additional BRAC rounds that result from Department of Defense-directed budget reductions.
“Most importantly, I hope to share with you my ideas on how the Air Force can enhance its capabilities by leveraging one-of-a-kind technology assets throughout New England,” he continued.
