During his 22 years in the House, Hansen fought to defend the base in prior BRAC rounds. He used his position as senior member of the House Armed Services Committee to go toe-to-toe with President Bill Clinton in a battle during the '95 BRAC round to save Hill from a relocation to California.

But Hansen maintained that was not his job anymore. He said his job was to "do what's best for the United States military."

"People think I'm going there as the protector of Hill — that's just not true," Hansen said shortly after his appointment to the BRAC Commission.

Hansen recused himself from voting on any BRAC matters that would impact Utah, including a recommendation to close New Mexico's Cannon Air Force Base and ship six of Cannon's Block 40 F-16 fighter jets to Hill Air Force Base.

But when asked point blank if he lobbied for Utah's military installations during back-room conversations, Hansen paused and said, "You can draw your own conclusions.

"In my opinion, Hill Field saved itself by their work ethic, the work that they do and the people that they've got."

---

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com