Article
The first responsibility of the federal government is preserving our national security. A strong defense is also critically important to Texas and our economy.
So as we launch a periodic review of our national system of defense facilities, we must take into account the changing nature of our security challenges, particularly the new threat posed by terrorism. Decisions on troop strength, training, deployment and facilities should be based on conditions that fully assess current security needs.
The Pentagon has begun the 2005 Base Closing and Realignment Commission (BRAC), charged with adjusting our military capacity to meet realities of the 21st Century. The Defense Department started the process by publishing a set of draft criteria, seeking comment on the ground rules to be used in judging whether military facilities across the country are to be maintained or closed.
The Pentagon’s draft criteria are very similar – almost identical – to standards employed by the 1991, 1993 and 1995 BRAC rounds. These are Cold War criteria. I believe that using old standards to face a new enemy is a mistake. The criteria should be improved, enhanced and updated to reflect the lessons we’ve learned after 9/11.
The current draft does not direct BRAC commissioners to take into account contributions a military base might make to our overall homeland security effort. Nor does it require our extensive network of overseas facilities be included in the planning. I am urging that both omissions be corrected.
In the new war on terrorism, homeland security is the ultimate goal. They may be two separate federal departments, but Homeland Security and Defense are already working in tandem on numerous measures, from biochemical threats to port security. For example, if a military base such as Brooks City-Base in San Antonio can play an important role in medical and biological research that’s vital to both homeland and national defense, that contribution ought to be weighed as part of the BRAC process. If Corpus Christi’s Naval Station Ingleside can host Coast Guard infrastructure to help patrol the Gulf of Mexico, that should be considered as well.
Most of our overseas bases were established during or after World War II, and maintained to meet conventional Cold War threats. Even the Department of Defense (DoD) has acknowledged that several are poorly located to meet today’s military needs. Some bases, particularly those in Europe and Asia, lack the land area and flying space to allow first-class training for our forces.
If an overseas training mission can be accomplished more efficiently, and at less expense, in the vast expanses of Ft. Hood or Ft. Bliss/White Sands, then BRAC commissioners should factor that into the equation. The current criteria do not.
Let’s be clear: the ultimate goal should be the strongest national defense and the most effective homeland security our tax dollars can buy. If all relevant factors are considered, I’m confident that Texas will fare very well in the BRAC process.
Our military men and women enjoy serving in Texas. They benefit both personally and professionally from our wide-open spaces, our weather, our reasonable cost of living and our facilities. The Texas Congressional delegation, Republicans and Democrats alike, have worked closely over the past decade to ensure that Texas bases are modernized and fully tasked. Over the past five years alone, we’ve been able to secure $1.2 billion in federal appropriations for Texas base military construction to improve the daily lives of our service families.
I voted against starting the 2005 BRAC because I don’t believe we’ve had sufficient experience in the terrorism war to evaluate all threats we may be facing. But now that it’s underway, we have an obligation to make certain the criteria used in the base evaluation process are themselves updated and modernized.
Defense is important to Texas, and Texas is vital to our national defense. It’s been said that “Texas defends America.” That’s true – Texas has more active duty than any state – and we’re superb at it. Texans should welcome a thoughtful and politics-free BRAC process.
As Americans, we all have a stake in ensuring that our force structure and facilities are as efficient and effective as possible – and that the criteria used to judge those conditions reflect the changing threat we face at home and abroad.
Gallery