PA Congressional Delegation Members Send Letter to BRAC Commission Stressing Willow Grove's Homeland Security Importance
PA Congressional Delegation Members Send Letter to BRAC Commission Stressing Willow Grove's Homeland Security Importance
August 11, 2005
Letter Follows Recent News Reports of the Development of U.S. Military Plans for Response to Potential Domestic Terrorist Attacks
Washington, D.C - U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) spearheaded a letter to the BRAC Commission re-emphasizing the tremendous value of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Willow Grove as a strategic homeland security asset. Members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, including Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum, and Representatives Fitzpatrick, Brady, Gerlach and Dent, joined Schwartz in sending the letter to Anthony Principi, Chairman of the BRAC Commission on Thursday, August 11, 2005.
The letter was crafted in response to recent news reports in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times that the United States military is considering an expanded role in the ongoing efforts to prepare for and prevent a possible terrorist attack in the U.S.
As critical military assets continue to be relocated outside of the Northeast, the PA delegation's letter calls attention to the need for a military installation, such as NAS JRB Willow Grove, as part of regional homeland security plans in the Northeast corridor.
"It would be extremely detrimental to not only the mission of the United States military, but also to the homeland security of our nation, if Willow Grove were to be closed," said Senator Santorum. "The prime location and the highly trained cadre of military personnel at this installation prove that Willow Grove should remain open."
"We are once again calling upon the BRAC Commission to evaluate the homeland security importance of Willow Grove. Willow Grove's proven assets such as its geographic location, experienced personnel, and secure 8,000 foot runway are vital to our homeland security efforts," said Rep. Schwartz. "Should an incident happen in any of the major cities in the Northeast, Willow Grove would serve as an important hub for facilitating the joint efforts of our first responders and military personnel."
"Willow Grove plays a vital role in national and homeland security. Closing this important base makes no sense whatsoever," said U.S. Rep. Robert Brady.
"The recent article in The Washington Post reaffirms the need for the BRAC Commission to take a closer look at Willow Grove JRB. I along with my colleagues have long argued that the base represents a key homeland security asset. That's why I introduced H.R. 2667, a bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security to review the impact of base closures on our domestic security. Representative Schwartz cosponsored this legislation and it is gaining support. We must do all we can to bring Willow Grove's importance to the attention of BRAC and the Defense Department. This letter is an example of our bipartisan commitment to that end," said Representative Fitzpatrick.
"As we again learned from the recent bombings in London, major cities continue to be targeted by terrorists," said U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. "Willow Grove's location in the heart of the Southeastern Pennsylvania corridor is important to the security of this heavily populated region."
A copy of the letter sent to Chairman Princippi follows. The letter was signed by Sens. Specter and Santorum and Reps. Schwartz, Fitzpatrick, Brady, Gerlach and Dent.
August 11, 2005
Chairman Anthony Principi
2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
2521 South Clark Street, Suite 600
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Dear Chairman Principi:
As the BRAC Commission begins its final deliberations regarding the realignment and closure recommendations made by the Department of Defense (DOD), we would like to re-emphasize the value of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Willow Grove as a strategic homeland security asset.
It has been reported that Northern Command is in the process of developing war plans for guarding against and responding to terrorist attacks in the United States. According to Northcom, this unprecedented action is necessary because DOD is well equipped and situated to respond to a biological, chemical or nuclear attack in any of the 50 states. We believe this further highlights the importance of NAS JRB Willow Grove to Pennsylvania and the entire Northeast region.
The Northeast region of the United States is a major economic hub in the U.S., as it is densely populated and home to transportation and telecommunications infrastructure that is vital to domestic and international trade. However, DOD continues to relocate critical military assets outside of the Northeast.
The recommended closure of NAS JRB Willow Grove is the most recent DOD action that would significantly weaken the Department's ability to play a role in the protection of this vital region.
NAS JRB Willow Grove's 8,000 foot runway is in close proximity to all of the major metropolitan areas in the Northeast, as well as the National Capital Region, and the 162 acre base could easily serve as a staging area for emergency response teams and supplies. Additionally, all of the armed services are represented on the base, and they have previous valuable joint operations experience with the Coast Guard, FEMA, PEMA, and the FAA. This jointness, both within the military and among various government entities, will be absolutely essential in the event of another catastrophic attack on our homeland.
We appreciate the task you and the other BRAC Commissioners have before you in the coming weeks, and are grateful for the time and consideration you have already dedicated to NAS JRB Willow Grove. We are confident that, in the end, you will share our conviction that this base is too valuable to be closed.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa13_schwartz/BRAC.html