Groton Sub Base Survives BRAC
REDSTATE
By noemail@noemail.org (California Yankee)
The Associated Press reports that the national base closure commission voted Wednesday to keep open the Navy's submarine base in Groton, saving about 8,000 jobs and a cornerstone of southeastern Connecticut's economy.
The commission cited national security concerns, submarine force requirements, environmental cleanup costs, personnel needs and detailed reports challenging the Navy's projected cost savings:
"Not only is Sub Base New London a first-class facility, it's the flagship of the submarine facility," said retired Air Force Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton, one of seven commissioners who voted to keep the base open. "I find that it would be a big mistake to close this facility at this time."
Earlier the commission voted to close nearly 400 Army Reserve and National Guard facilities in dozens of states, including three army reserve centers in Connecticut -- the Sgt. Libby U.S. Army Reserve Center in New Haven, Turner U.S. Army Reserve Center in Fairfield and U.S. Army Reserve Center Maintenance Support Facility in Middletown.
The Commission also voted to close five major Army bases in Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia - Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson in Georgia, Fort Monroe in Virginia, the U.S. Army Garrison in Selfridge, Mich., and Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. |
