Cantwell, Lowenberg Claim Pentagon Made Recommendation to Move Fighter Jets Without Consulting WA National Guard

BRAC Commission to hold hearing next week; asks Rumsfeld if Air National Guard was consulted on plan to move fighter jets to East CoastSeattle, WA – Today U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Major General Timothy Lowenberg sent a message to the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) that Washington state Air National Guard was not consulted before the Pentagon recommended relocating the F-15 fighter jets that protect Washington state skies.Next week the BRAC will hold hearings on the Pentagon’s proposal. Cantwell is sending a letter today to BRAC Chairman Anthony Principi to make sure he understands that the Pentagon did not try to seek input from Washington state before making recommendations that could leave us vulnerable. Earlier this month, the BRAC sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld requesting him to testify next week and answer a number of questions, including if states were consulted before the Pentagon suggested changes to the Air National Guard. Cantwell wrote, “We believe that the Department should have done more to consult with State leaders in devising its recommendations and does not fully understand the homeland security impacts these realignments will have on our region and nation.”The issue at hand is the Pentagon’s recommendation to relocate 15 F-15 fighter jets from Portland, OR to New Jersey and Louisiana. These fighter jets patrolled the Northwest skies for three days after the September 11th attacks, and continue to provide security to the Northwest skies. If these planes are relocated, the nearest fighter jets available in an emergency may be as far away as Fresno, CA. Relying on jets so far away could delay response times to heightened security threats in the Northwest.”These realignments overlook the critical role these air assets play in ensuring the security of the Pacific Northwest and our nation,” Cantwell explained. “This plan is like turning on your home security system and leaving the front door open – we need every opportunity to eradicate security threats before it is too late,” she added.Last month Cantwell and Major General Frank Scoggins, the commander of the Washington Air National Guard, called on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission to reconsider the Pentagon’s recommendation to relocate all 15 of the Portland-based fighter jets.”The realignments proposed for air assets in the State of Washington and the Northwest will have negative impacts on the protection of our homeland,” Commander Scoggins said. “The proposal would have serious unintended long term consequences if fully adopted.”