From Deseret News archives:
How many times will Utah have to fight BRAC battle?
The state just survived the latest round of base closures, escaping with just six lost jobs on local military installations. But another round could come again in five years, and another five years after that, said Jim Hansen, the former Utah congressman who is currently serving on the Base Realignment and Closure Commission.
In an interview with the Deseret Morning News on Monday, Hansen said a bill due to the president Sept. 8 will most likely include a recommendation to hold a BRAC every five years. However, Hansen said he didn't support a base closure round every five years and said a 10-year interval is the better option.
The recommendation likely won't fly with Congress. In the past, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to block base closure rounds. In July, the Bush administration threatened to veto a massive defense bill if it included an amendment that would "weaken, delay or repeal" the base closure process.
Commission Chairman Anthony Principi recommended that Congress regularly schedule BRAC rounds every five or 10 years during his closing statement last week after final base closure deliberations.
"As difficult as it may be, our nation should regularly re-examine our military infrastructure," Principi said. "Failure to do so will inevitably drag down our defense with the sea anchor of unneeded, obsolete or poorly sited installations."
If Congress agrees and allows another BRAC round in five years, Hansen said you won't see him on the commission. Hansen called his past five months touring the country on military aircraft on little sleep "the toughest job I've ever had."
The constant travel, coupled with the unenviable job of shutting down entire communities, was enough to convince Hansen to never sign up as a BRAC commissioner again.
"If I was called five years from now, if I'm alive, I wouldn't do that job for a million dollars a day not even if they offered me Air Force One," Hansen said. "It is the most draining job I've ever done, dealing with people and their lives."
After his appointment, some Utah leaders thought Hansen would use his clout and position as a BRAC member to save Hill Air Force Base.
Comments
- Life sentences for juveniles examined 2:20 p.m.
- Matheson may face Dem challenger 2:11 p.m.
- Columbia prof to speak at U. 2:07 p.m.
- Mitchell wants testimony excluded 1:36 p.m.
- Cleveland case expands overseas 1:27 p.m.
- Banks eye tight credit card terms 1:25 p.m.
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named 1:16 p.m.
- Iran accuses hikers of espionage 1:09 p.m.
- Making health care better 1:03 p.m.
- New bishop heads Lufkin LDS Church 1:03 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
244 - House passes health care bill
212 - Lobo suspended
176 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - TCU showdown has big implications
144 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
106 - Provo company innovating engines
105 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
101
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
Davis has no offense? I guess having one of the best, if not the best RB in...
As The A-TEAM would of put it, "I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER." The...
Dick, how is your golf game you haven't mentioned it in ages.
'Too expensive!' Thinking man, healthcare as it is now is too expensive....
I'm so sick of Mitchell's attorneys exploiting the legal system to keep...
Gee, what a shock, something to help the poor trodden down single mothers. I...
It's football, and each team has their chances. i think both will play well....
Alta wasnt even a playoff team without Kealia Ohai!
Leave. Duh. No WMD's. No Osama Bin Laden. No reason to be there. Our...
I enjoyed seeing the old uniforms. Bring them back! Great day for Tampa Bay!


You can be the first to comment on this story.