Lujan Grisham to Air Force Secretary: NM opposes consideration of military base closures

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 23 October 2017 23 October 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, expressing her strong opposition to any new round of military base closures. Lujan Grisham also urged Wilson to prioritize the ongoing clean-up of jet fuel at Kirtland Air Force Base, and support the Pararescue schoolhouse at Kirtland.

"I strongly oppose any new round of BRAC and the proposed elimination of the independent BRAC Commission," Lujan Grisham said in her letter, which followed a meeting earlier this month with Secretary Wilson.

Rep. Lujan Grisham's letter can be found here.

The Department of Defense has indicated its support for a new round of BRAC. However, a new round of BRAC can only be authorized by Congress.

In addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee has suggested eliminating the independent BRAC Commission that has been used in the past to assess which bases should be shut down or consolidated. Lujan Grisham made the case to Secretary Wilson, a former Congresswoman from the same district, that New Mexico also opposes the elimination of the commission in any future BRAC processes.

"The independent BRAC Commission seeks extensive public input through hearings and site visits for full consideration of both community interests and the military's need. Without the independent BRAC Commission to provide an objective and non-partisan review and analysis of strategic closures and realignments, we jeopardize the wellbeing of our communities, the quality of our military facilities, and the strategic readiness of our troops."

Jet Fuel Clean-Up
Rep. Lujan Grisham urged Secretary Wilson to continue to make the clean-up effort of the jet fuel spill a top priority for the Air Force, including adequate funding to protect Albuquerque's drinking water; continue communicating with partner organizations in Albuquerque; and commit the Air Force to regular public meetings.

Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer School
Kirtland Air Force Base is home to a nearly $15 million world-class Pararescue training facility, which is used for two important programs – the Paramedic Course and the Pararescue Recovery Specialist Course. Rep. Lujan Grisham urged Secretary Wilson to keep those programs at Kirtland, as the Air Force considers consolidating various training programs.

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