Seal Beach, L.A. AFB, Escape Pentagon Axe In Base Realignment/Closure, But...

...The Department of Defense has proposed bringing new missions to a number of California's bases and realigning others, while closing relatively few in our state compared to previous BRAC rounds. In the coming days, we will be taking a closer look at the details to ensure that today's decisions are sound and balanced. Our initial assessment is that this is good news for California and for our nation.

California communities that find their bases on the BRAC list should know that their local, state and federal officials have been working to help them and will continue to help them throughout the summer. Our California Council on Base Support and Retention, which I appointed last year to prepare for this round, is already organized into teams to help each city that is affected. They will assist with reviews of the Pentagon's decisions for errors, oversights or omissions and they stand ready to help communities make their cases before the upcoming BRAC Commission hearings. Consistent with the Council's advice, I plan to testify before the BRAC Commission at its likely California hearing on behalf of our state's bases.

Our Council's co-chairs also will be meeting with California's Congressional delegation and the state legislature next week. It is important that we work as a team for California on our next steps. I can assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to protect California's vital bases.

I commend [the Defense Dept.] for realizing Los Angeles Air Force Base is an invaluable asset to our nation’s security. It is unfortunate, however, that a dozen other California bases have been targeted for closure. I will work with the supporters of those bases to ensure everything can be done to either have the closure of those bases reconsidered or that the affected communities receive the help they need to prepare for the future.

The retention of Los Angeles Air Force Base could not have happened without the tireless help of the LA AFB Regional Alliance, local community and business leaders and a united - and bipartisan - political delegation. Saving LA AFB was no accident. Countless hours of research and preparation paid off for the betterment of our community - and our nation’s defense. I share, what I am certain is the view of all LA AFB supporters, that now is no time to let our guard down. Those bases now on the closure list will be lobbying to be spared. Should that occur, LA AFB may again be targeted. We must not let that happen.

• Former Nevada Rep. James H. Bilbray, who was a member of House committees on foreign affairs, armed services and intelligence. He served in the Army Reserve from 1955 to 1963.
• Philip Coyle of California, a senior adviser to the Center for Defense Information. He has served at DoD as an assistant secretary of defense and as director of operational test and evaluation.
• Retired Navy Adm. Harold W. Gehman Jr., who served more than 35 years on active duty, including duty as NATO's supreme allied commander, Atlantic, and as commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command.
• Former Utah Rep. James V. Hansen, who served on the House Armed Services Committee. He served in the Navy from 1951 to 1955.
• Retired Army Gen. James T. Hill, whose 36-year career culminated with duty as commander of U.S. Southern Command.
• Retired Air Force Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton, who served in uniform for 34 years, culminating as commander of Air Education and Training Command.
• Samuel Knox Skinner, who served as President George H.W. Bush's chief of staff and as secretary of transportation. He served in the Army Reserve from 1960 to 1968.
• Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Sue Ellen Turner of Texas, a member of the American Battle Monuments Commission. She served for 30 years, most recently as the director of nursing services in the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General.