You both have brought up an excellent point.
Is this really needed? Is this location important in our national defense and do we need to keep it open just to benefit the local economy (welfare).....if anything this may start some interesting discussions.....
The last time this discussion came up we had a new El Presidente. Guess who? This is entirely political.
Unless we are expecting a war with Mexico, an airforce base in Arizona seems like a boondoggle. Our F35s should be located where they can best be deployed in case of war. This would apparently be near a coastal port. But what do I know?