Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) commended the Secretary of Defense for recognizing the military value of Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island by not recommending the bases for closure as part of this year’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The just-released list represents the Secretary of Defense’s recommended list of U.S. military installations to close or realign. The list recommends that Whidbey actually gain military and civilian personnel. The BRAC Commission will now begin its process of reviewing and analyzing the Secretary’s findings and must report its conclusions by September 8, 2005.

Larsen issued the following statement on the list:

“Today’s BRAC list contains good news for Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. This list paints a positive picture of the future at NS Everett and NAS Whidbey Island, one with new missions and opportunities to secure our nation both at home and abroad.

“We’ve always known that Everett was the ‘Sailor’s Choice,’ and today we learned that we are also the Pentagon’s Choice.

“NAS Whidbey has emerged as the national center of electronic warfare and anti-submarine warfare operations. This list shows the Pentagon’s commitment to keep it that way for years to come.

“The emerging military focus on the Pacific Theater makes our bases in the Pacific Northwest strategically and geographically critical. The Pentagon clearly recognizes our military value and the exceptional quality of life that we offer to the servicemen and women stationed here.

“Working on the House Armed Services Committee, we have studied this BRAC process inside and out. Today is not the day to claim victory. This initial BRAC list means that we have run the BRAC marathon well, but the race to the finish line continues.

“Many communities will be unhappy with today’s news. They will try to convince the BRAC Commissioners that other bases should be closed.

“I will work hard in Congress and at home to make sure that we finish this race strong and ensure that the BRAC Commission sees the same military value in our bases that the Pentagon does.”

Larsen noted that the list does contain one change for Naval Station Everett. Its Army National Guard Reserve Center is set to close, meaning a loss of 57 military personnel.

Larsen serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. During his first two terms in Congress, he served on the Committee’s Readiness Subcommittee that oversees the BRAC process.  Since coming to Congress he has worked with his colleagues in Congress and his district’s military communities to help prepare for the BRAC round.