(Washington, D.C.)–Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today reacted to the release of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s list of recommended military base and facility closures for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.

“This morning, I received the Pentagon’s list of bases and facilities to be closed in the 2005 BRAC Round,” said Langevin. “I am extremely pleased to report that none of Rhode Island’s major facilities appear on that list, and our state is in fact slated to gain over 500 jobs once the recommended realignments are carried out. Naval Station Newport is a tremendous asset to the U.S. Navy, and I am gratified that Secretary Rumsfeld has recognized its continuing importance to our nation's military.”

“The BRAC process in Rhode Island has truly been a coordinated effort by the Congressional delegation, state legislators, Governor Carcieri and Lt. Governor Fogarty, local governments and defense industry stakeholders throughout the state,” Langevin continued. “We have worked for nearly two years to ensure that the value of our state's defense facilities was fully understood by Pentagon decision-makers, and our efforts have paid off so far.”

Through Langevin’s service on the Armed Services Committee, he has had repeated opportunities to emphasize the importance of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the Naval War College and other facilities at Naval Station Newport to senior officials at the Defense Department. In addition, he and other members of the Congressional delegation have sent written correspondence to Secretary Rumsfeld, reiterating their strong support for Naval Station Newport and Rhode Island’s Guard and Reserve facilities and their significant contributions to our national defense.

At this point, the nine-member BRAC Commission will review the Secretary’s list and may add or remove bases and facilities. Langevin will remain vigilant and engaged in the process to ensure that Rhode Island’s critical military assets remain off the closure list that is ultimately forwarded to Congress and the President.

Langevin also expressed concern about Secretary Rumsfeld’s recommended closure of Naval Submarine Base New London, located in Groton, Connecticut. “The cooperation between the sub base and defense research and production facilities in Rhode Island has contributed to southeastern New England's status as the premier center for undersea warfare in the nation,” said Langevin. “I will continue to monitor the situation in Groton and its potential impact on Rhode Island's defense industry, as well as Rhode Islanders employed at and around the sub base.”

Following is a list of today’s recommendations affecting Rhode Island. The Pentagon has estimated that the total impact of the changes in Rhode Island will result in 531 additional military and civilian jobs in the state.

• Navy Supply Corps School and Center for Service Support will be relocated from Athens, GA, to Newport
• Officer Training Command will be relocated from Pensacola, FL, to Newport and consolidated with the existing Officer Training Command in Newport
• Subsurface Maritime Sensors, Electronic Warfare and Electronics Research, Development & Acquisition, and Test & Evaluation of the Space Warfare Center will move from Charleston, SC, Patuxent River, MD, and San Diego to Newport
• Maritime Information Systems Research, Development & Acquisition, and Test & Evaluation will move from Newport to San Diego
• Religious Training and Education will be relocated from Newport to a new Joint Center of Excellence for religious training and education in Fort Jackson, SC
• Navy Warfare Development Command and Naval Reserve Readiness Command will be relocated from Newport to Norfolk, VA
• Five C-130J aircraft will be relocated to Quonset State Airport Air Guard Station (four from Martin State Air Guard Station, MD, and one from Little Rock Air Force Base, AR)
• Bristol Army Reserve Center, Harwood Army Reserve Center (Providence) and Warwick Army Reserve Center and Organizational Maintenance Shop will all be relocated to a new Army Reserve Center on Newport Naval Base

Follow this link for a PDF report: BRAC 2005 Closure and Realignment Impacts by State

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