Base Closings To Cost CT and NJ Over 15,000 Jobs New York State Escapes Major Cuts only 1,000

WCBS 88 ^ | 5/13/05

[areafiftyone]

Connecticut, New Jersey and New York stand to lose more than 15,000 jobs under the base closing recommendations announced by the Pentagon today.

Four Connecticut military bases, including the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, are on the Pentagon's list of proposed base closures. Nearly all of the 8,600 jobs expected to be lost are from the Groton base. Connecticut officials say the base is crucial to the region because of its $2.5 billion effect on the economy.

In New Jersey, Fort Monmouth is among the bases the Defense Department wants to close. A total of 5300 hundred jobs would be eliminated.

New York fared best. Military facilities statewide would lose some 68 total military positions and nearly 1,000 civilian jobs, according to Department of Defense figures.
The United States Military Academy in West Point would gain 226 military and 38 civilian positions under the proposed changes.

Fort Drum, the state's largest active military post has been spared any major proposed cuts in the Pentagon's list of bases to be closed or realigned.

In Connecticut, the Pentagon also recommended closing Sgt. Libby U.S. Army Reserve Center in New Haven, Turner U.S. Army Reserve Center in Fairfield and the U.S. Army Reserve Center Maintenance Support Facility, Middletown. The Bradley International Airport Air Guard Station would be realigned.

The Naval Air Engineering Center at Lakehurst would lose 186 jobs and Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County would lose

In New Jersey, the Inspector/Instructor Center in Ewing, the Kilmer Army Reserve Center in Edison and the Brittin Army Reserve Center also are on the chopping block.
But Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township would gain 693 jobs, McGuire Air Force Base would gain 535 jobs, Fort Dix would gain 353 jobs and the 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic County would increase by 269 jobs.

The majority of the nine-member commission appointed by President Bush to oversee the base closing process could overrule the recommendation. The state's congressional delegation is vowing to fight.

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, a Democrat, says it's irrational, irresponsible and unthinkable to close the sub base.

Second District Congressman Rob Simmons, a Republican, says this will be a bipartisan fights to reverse the plans to close the base.

The Groton base is homeport to 18 attack submarines and also home of the Naval Submarine School, three submarine squadrons staffs and other support facilities.

This is not the news we hoped for and worked so hard to avoid,” Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell said. “But it is one battle in a far longer campaign, and we are a long, long way from defeated. We have 31,500 reasons to keep on fighting, and fight we will.

“The BRAC Commission's decision is clearly misguided. The Groton sub base is too important to the U.S. Navy's overall mission to be slated for closure or realignment,” Rell added. "Nowhere else on the planet has the unique combination of fleet facilities, Electric Boat next door and the Submarine School campus. Nowhere else in the world has the dedicated men and women -- military and civilian alike -- who keep the fleet supplied, maintained, repaired and ready for service at a moment's notice.

"Connecticut and the U.S. Navy are inseparable -- when you think of submarines, you think of the Groton sub base, David Bushnell's 'Turtle' and the Nautilus. We will not allow that legacy to end now."

[nmh]

Any news on Pennsylvania?

[frogjerk]

In New Jersey, Fort Monmouth is among the bases the Defense Department wants to close. A total of 5300 hundred jobs would be eliminated.

This would really hurt Monmouth County...

[TXBSAFH]

I thought blue state voters would be used to losing by now.

[bookworm100]

See the base closure list at: http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/appendix_c.pdf

[areafiftyone]

In Pennsylvania they are closing two bases the 911th Airlift Wing Air Force base near Pittsburgh and the Willow Grove Naval Air Station outside Philadelphia: The two bases employ about 1,550, according to Defense Department figures. In total, Pennsylvania would see a net loss of 1,658 military and civilian jobs, according to the Pentagon.

[areafiftyone]

Cleveland to lose 1,103 military-related jobs

[eleni121]

Here in Western NY where most people work on the governent dole or receive a government dole, the closing of several military facilities is disastrous. But not as disastrous as having Schumer and Hitlery and Slaughter leading our delegation in the Washington.

[areafiftyone]

HMMMMM I thought Hillary took care of the jobs for NY State? At least that's what she campaigned on. UGH!

[capydick]

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, a Democrat, says it's irrational, irresponsible and unthinkable to close the sub base. Second District Congressman Rob Simmons, a Republican, says this will be a bipartisan fights to reverse the plans to close the base.

The thing that RATS and Pubbies can agree on these days is pork. It's an equal opportunity opportunity. I have a problem with some of bases that are on this list but - if we dont face the 21st century threat realistically and adjust our military accordingly, we're in trouble. Despite the efforts by alot of well intentioned people last time to save their favorite fort or base, the world did not end and life in those communities adjusted to the new reality. And - many are better off because of it.

[2banana]

Looks like the blue military hating states took a hit...

[Chode]

i think Groton is one of those bits you put into deals that you know you aren't going to fight for... a built in give back so to speak, cause it'd be wrong to close Groton

[nmh]

Thanks.

I was curious about this one:

Willow Grove Naval Air Station outside Philadelphia.

The feeling in that area is that atleast it might not be a terrorist target but allot of revenue will be leaving the area.

[nmh]

Thanks.

Relatives live in Bucks County and they were wondering about Willow Grove.

Thanks again!

[buccaneer81]

Cleveland to lose 1,103 military-related jobs

But Columbus gains almost 1800! ;-)

[RSmithOpt]

The government is just saving money by stream lining, just like US corporations moving manufacturing overseas. Before you know it, the Army, Navy, Marines will outsource military jobs (grunts, legs, etc.0 to the Iraqis and Afghanis after stability is reached in that country and their military training pars with America's. Oh let's say, about 10 yrs?. Could save 75% on the cost of hiring and training an American, and then our tax bill would go down (yeah, right!).

Better not hear anyone supporting uncontrolled borders and immigration griping about job losses to base closures.

[eleni121]

UGH!
_________________________________________________

UGH and ugly ...is right. Why is it so many Demoratic women are so incompetent, ugly and dumb...no wonder they want big daddy government to support them. This latest closing in this God forsaken state may just wake up the sheep who live here. Somehow I doubt it, but you never know.

[kittymyrib]

I thought blue staters loathed the military. It's not a jobs program, you nitwits.

[Lessismore]

This would really hurt Monmouth County...

What would make a lot of sense is to transfer Fort Monmouth to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They could use it to incarcerate Monmouth County and municipality politicians, including former Freeholder Larrison, as well as the contractors and developers that have been bribing them.

Of course, it would have more capacity than needed for just Monmouth County, so it could be a "magnet prison" for New Jersey, (sort of like magnet schools) for the most talented and egregious malefactors in politics and business in the Northeast.

For example, you could run a bus from Trenton down I-195, filled with statehouse grafters, and up the Garden State Parkway to the Route 36 exit. Along the way, they could periodically stop to pick up roadside trash.