Campaign launched to save HAFB

Utah's congressional delegation kicked off its effort to save Hill Air Force Base Friday, noting that the next round of base closures in 2005 could be likened to a playoff situation where only the best and strongest teams are left.

Utah's senior senator, Orrin G. Hatch, accompanied by Sen. Bob Bennett and Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon, all Republicans, and Rep. Jim Matheson, a Democrat, held a press conference in the old Utah Supreme Court chambers to announce their unity in efforts to save HAFB and the rest of Utah's military infrastructure.

The three previous Base Realignment and Closure rounds, in 1991, 1993 and 1995, have made Hill a much stronger base as work from closed bases shifted to it. But ironically, because all the surviving bases are stronger and working at near-full capacity, the threat to Hill is greater than ever, members of the delegation said.

Hatch said the public phase of saving Hill from closure began Friday with assistance from the Utah Defense Alliance, a group of two dozen business and civic leaders formed to save Hill from past closures.

The upcoming round of closures will be greater than the three previous rounds put together, Hatch said. "We already know that the Pentagon plans to close 100 facilities or 25 percent of military bases in the country. This is a critical issue to our state. Hill Air Force Base is the largest employer in Utah and provides a $4.3 billion direct economic impact to the state."

Hill's approximately 24,000 civilian jobs are high-paying for Utah, and military contractors associated with the base probably hire another 24,000 workers, Hatch said.

Earlier in the day, legislative and executive branches of state government united in support of Utah's military. Legislators announced the passage of resolutions in support of Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground, Tooele Army Depot, Deseret Chemical Depot, the Utah National Guard and the Reserves.

Gov. Olene Walker signed the resolutions, stating, "Utah has a strong commitment to the defense of our state and nation. The military installations we honor today are vital to our security and our economy. I wish to congratulate all who work at these bases, military and civilian, and pledge Utah's support of your most important role."

Each member of the congressional delegation, as he spoke, emphasized a unanimous, nonpartisan effort will be made to save Hill and to persuade congressional colleagues of the base's value to the nation.