Hansen to help 'kill' bases

WASHINGTON — Jim Hansen is in unfamiliar territory.

The years of protecting Hill Air Force Base are long gone for the former Utah congressman. Now he's one of nine people responsible for deciding which U.S. military bases to close.

President Bush on Tuesday formally nominated Hansen to serve on the Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

BRAC must close or realign a quarter of the nation's military infrastructure. The Defense Department plans on closing or scaling back 425 bases worldwide, which could save $7 billion annually, the Defense Department reported.

When Hansen's name first surfaced as a possible BRAC commissioner, many Utahns welcomed the idea of their "defender of Hill" stepping up again and saving the base.

That just won't happen, Hansen said.

"What people don't understand is when you are elected to be a congressman, you represent a state. You are expected to scrap for that state," Hansen said in an interview. "That's not the office I'm headed for. My responsibility is to do what is best for the United States military."

Earlier this month, Hansen said, a group of officials from Hill Air Force Base told him, "If Hill goes down, it's your fault."

"I said, 'What do you mean? I'm not your congressman. It's not my responsibility anymore,' " Hansen said. "I hope it survives. It'll be tough if Hill goes down. But I don't want to show any favoritism. I want to avoid the very appearance of that."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. met twice Monday with Pentagon officials who assured him that decisions on base closures will be fair and impartial — something that pleased the governor. Huntsman is confident "we can win on the merits of an objective process," said Jason Chaffetz, chief of staff to the governor.

But it also helps to have Hansen, "who understands the assets of Hill."

"There is no greater advocate for Hill than Jim Hansen."

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said Hansen will dispel any myths about Utah's bases and make sure the commission knows exactly what Utah's bases have to offer.

Hansen will not only fight for Hill, with its 23,000 employees and tremendous economic impact on the entire state but also for Dugway Proving Grounds, Tooele Army Depot and Deseret Chemical Depot, Bishop said.