STATES FIGHT CLOSING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASES

By Diane M. Grassi


The United States Senate has been working towards finalizing a defense authorization bill before their August 1, 2005 recess. But the Senate voted to continue to debate on two controversial amendments attached to the $441.6 billion bill in September prolonging resolution. On July 26, 2005 the Senate vote of 50-48 fell short of ending debate on Senator John Thune’s (R-ND) bi-partisan supported measure, to delay any proposed U.S. military base closings until the Pentagon conducts several operational reviews as well as return a majority of troops from Iraq before the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) authorizes their final plan.

The other amendment, less crucial to American families with soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan as well as communities throughout the country, is Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) bill which would standardize the interrogation techniques in the Army field manual for the treatment of all detainees in the custody of the Department of Defense. McCain also added language expressly prohibiting cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners in U.S. custody regardless of where they are held. And now President George Bush has promised to veto the entire defense bill should either of these amendments be approved by the Senate.

On May 13, 2005 the Pentagon recommended military base closures and reductions of U.S. military installations throughout the country. Closures included 180 bases with 33 major bases and 29 major bases set for realignment. On July 19, 2005 the BRAC added more bases and military installations totalling almost a dozen, covering eight states. There has been no final decision yet on any of the bases or installations presently on the list. The final list must be provided to the president by September 8, 2005 and he has up until September 23, 2005 to either accept all recommendations or reject all of them. Thereafter the Congress will have an opportunity to either accept or reject the president’s decision. Prior to September 8th the Commission will hold various public hearings on the disposition of many of the bases.

However, causing a stir in the BRAC review is the Pentagon’s unilateral decision to propose the closing of 30 Air National Guard units and five major bases which house one third of all U.S. aircraft and missile defense technology. The dispute is between state governors’ claims that states’ rights and the unique federal-state role the Guard plays bars the Air Force from either closing or shifting Air National Guard units without the authorization from the governor of such state. Although the general counsel of the BRAC has advised the Commission of this conflict it has not been accepted or finalized by the BRAC.

Already officials on behalf of Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois have filed lawsuits in federal court against the Pentagon. Missouri and Michigan among several other states are waiting in the wings to do the same should the BRAC recommend closing the Guard units housing aircraft. The Pentagon’s initial retort is that since the federal government actually owns the aircraft their plans are justified. But the BRAC has left the door open to excluding Air National Guard units from closure if it means holding up all base closings.

At the heart of the issue is the bad timing of closing the Guard units according to Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm, who was praised by Congressman Joe Schwarz (R-MI). Granholm wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, citing that such a plan leaves many states with less military help during stateside emergency needs and especially at a time of war. In addition, Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, has just announced he will be realigning the Department of Homeland Security which will involve more National Guard troops’ participation in combination with new technologies.

The Army Reserve and National Guard presently account for nearly 50% of the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. With recruitment levels at their lowest since the Vietnam War, many state and federal officials including BRAC Chairman, Anthony Principi, believe closing the Air National Guard bases and units will make it even more difficult to recruit Guard members, as many Guard recruits prefer to be in the Air Guard. Others in Washington believe that with so many hotspots globally, consolidation or elimination of defense weaponry and aircraft makes the homeland more vulnerable. And that the ever-present backdrop of 9/11 as well as the recent London bombings reminds us of the value of having a reserve of troops stateside.

Rather than ignoring, delaying or bypassing the matter as the Senate has, the BRAC have called upon the adjutant generals, the commanders of the National Guard in each of the states, for input in helping to resolve this thorny issue as an alternative to the Air Force’s recommendations. As such, Major General Roger Lempke, president of the Adjutants General Association of the U.S. and adjutant general of Nebraska has initially recommended leaving at least some aircraft within each state in question. After meeting on July 22, 2005 the state adjutants provided a memo to the BRAC with their recommendations, but have not yet revealed publicly their suggestions. Ultimately Lempke has stated he wishes to resolve the matter directly with the Air Force.

But still unsettling is the fact that the entirety of the Senate’s Defense Authorization bill has been derailed until September as Congress recesses for August which extends until after Labor Day when they resume on September 6, 2005. Yet to be finalized and ratified is funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs which still has a $1 billion shortfall for the remainder of 2005 and a $2.5 billion deficit for Fiscal Year 2006. In addition, the healthcare benefits and salaries of active duty Army Reserve and National Guard members serving in the Middle East needs to be settled and provided in order for them to receive similar pay and benefits as regular active duty soldiers. Many Reserve and Guard personnel are now serving up to three tours of duty having been sent to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

And even more importantly the funding of necessary equipment and armor for our soldiers in battle in addition to properly armoring all Humvee vehicles, hangs in the balance. Occupying the Senate instead of the defense bill over the next several days will be a bill which protects gun manufacturers from lawsuits due the illegal use of firearms. And perhaps the Senate would like to explain to our soldiers, their loved ones and the American people as to why that bill as well as their vacations take precedence over the vital needs of our troops.
Diane M. Grassi