All Kansas' Major Military Installations Retained, Governor Announces

All Kansas' Major Military Installations Retained, Governor Announces

Sebelius: Kansas continues strong military presence

Today the Department of Defense released its recommendations for the 2005 Base Realignment & Closure (BRAC) process and recommended retaining all four of Kansas' major military installations.

"Today's announcement indicates that Kansas will continue to enjoy a strong military presence," Governor Kathleen Sebelius said. "Kansans appreciate the contribution and sacrifices our military service-members and their families make every day to protect our freedoms."

Sebelius noted, "This is only the first step in the process, and the Pentagon's recommendations must now be approved or disapproved by the BRAC Commission as well as by the President and the Congress."

In 2004, Governor Kathleen Sebelius formed the Governor's Strategic Military Planning Commission (GSMPC), chaired by Lieutenant Governor John Moore, to work with the Kansas Congressional Delegation, the Pentagon, and the potentially affected communities to prepare for the 2005 BRAC process. The Commission's Charter was: (1) to prevent the closure or downsizing of Kansas' military facilities; (2) to protect the interests of communities adjacent to the bases; and (3) to encourage the relocation of military missions to Kansas.

Lieutenant Governor Moore stated, "We applaud the Governor's foresight in establishing the Strategic Military Planning Commission, as well as the significant efforts of our Congressional Delegation. The Commission will now work to support the Pentagon's 2005 BRAC recommendations through the completion of this process."

Kansas' major bases include Forbes Field in Topeka, Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth/ Lansing, Fort Riley in Junction City/Manhattan, and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita.

"Kansas' major installations contribute more than $2 billion annually to the Kansas economy," said Lieutenant Governor Moore. "The number of military personnel and military-related jobs in this state is about the same as the total from our eight largest employers."

"All Kansans should be very proud of the team effort that went into BRAC," said Major General Tod Bunting. "Our congressional, business and military leaders deserve high praise for the bi-partisan work they did to ensure that our nation's leaders understood what Kansas has to offer."

The Department's recommendations now go to the BRAC Commission, whose members were appointed by the President Bush, for their review and consideration. Previous commissions have agreed with nearly all of the Pentagon's base closing recommendations.

Governor Sebelius and Lieutenant Governor Moore expressed specific appreciation for the leadership of all of the members of the Strategic Military Planning Commission and the Kansas Congressional Delegation, who have worked tirelessly in support of our State and the military. They also expressed their confidence that the Commission and delegation members will continue their active involvement in the process until final decision is reached later this fall.

BRAC Commission recommendations are due to the President by September 8. If the President accepts the recommendations, they must be sent to Congress for review by September 23. Congress then has 45 legislative days to take action. If Congress takes no action within that period, the Commission's findings become binding.

Recommendations issued by the Department of Defense, now subject to review and approval by the BRAC Commission:

Keep all four of Kansas' major installations open and operational

The 22nd Air Force Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base would receive an additional 24 KC-135R air refueling tanker aircraft from multiple locations to supplement the 17 tanker aircraft that the 22nd currently operates. The recommended 48 tankers would make McConnell the largest super tanker base in the United States.

The 190th Air National Guard Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field would receive twelve KC-135R air refueling tankers, and the ten older KC135E model tankers, which the 190th currently operates, will be retired. Nine of these aircraft would be relocated from the Air National Guard's 184th Refueling Air Wing at McConnell. Additional personnel would be assigned to the 190th as a result of their receipt of the additional, more modern tankers.

The 184th Air Refueling Wing at McConnell would expand upon the military intelligence and information technology missions that it currently performs. The 184th will also perform Air Force future total force missions.

With these recommendations, Kansas would have 60 KC-135R model tankers at McConnell Air Force Base and Forbes Field. The State currently has 50 tankers, ten of which are model Es that would be scheduled to be retired.

Fort Leavenworth, home of the U.S. Army's Command Arms Center, the Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Detention Barracks would retain its current missions.

The Army Reserve Center in Wichita remains open and is part of national realignment of the readiness reserve. We will continue to work to ensure the reserve center remains a vital part of military.

Fort Riley gained an additional 2415 soldiers and 440 civilians from the 1st Infantry Division in Germany and a flying battalion mission from Fort Campbell. In addition the base is scheduled to receive a Unit of Action with 3,400 between June of this year and late spring of 2006 which was not address as part of the BRAC recommendations.

http://www.ksgovernor.org/news/docs/news_rel051305a.html