Pentagon urged to consider R&D in base closings

Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., introduced a bill Wednesday that would require the Pentagon to consider the military value of research, development and testing facilities in the next round of base closings.

The factors would be included among the Pentagon's official criteria for choosing which installations to retain in the 2005 base realignment and closure process, or BRAC.

Wilson and other lawmakers have criticized the Pentagon for failing to consider hundreds of public comments and concerns before deciding on its final BRAC criteria, published in February in the Federal Register.

The criteria currently assess military value and the ability of an installation to contribute to the Defense Department's mission and operational readiness. Other factors include potential costs and savings, community support and environmental considerations.

Wilson said the Defense Department's stated goal of a modernized force did not square with its prevailing approach to base closure.

"Research, development and testing are too important to be overlooked," Wilson said in a statement. "The criteria talks about current operations and training but completely ignores the need to have research, development and testing facilities for the next generation of weapons systems."

Congress approved the 2005 BRAC round in the fiscal 2001 military authorization, but Wilson, a member of the Armed Services Committee, has opposed the closings on every vote.

"From the beginning, I have opposed BRAC," Wilson said. "But our commitment now must be to preserve facilities critical to our national security and important to New Mexico."