June 30, 2005

Georgia bases play vital national security role
By U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
and Governor Sonny Perdue
(As appeared in The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission's regional hearing today will allow us to make a compelling case as to why the Naval Air Station in Atlanta, the Navy Supply School in Athens and Forts McPherson and Gillem are critical to our national security and should not be closed. NAS Atlanta plays an important role in the war on terrorism. The Naval Supply Corps School in Athens is a model of efficiency, with operations costs among the lowest of any Navy facility. Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, with their multiple military headquarters, have access to one of only four Department of Defense secure telecommunications hubs in the United States. We will also discuss the recommended increases in missions for several Georgia bases, including our submarine base at Kings Bay, the Marine Corps Logistic Base in Albany, and Fort Benning. These bases and their communities are excited and postured for growth. After the hearing, the BRAC commissioners will hear firsthand about the important contributions our bases make to our national security and why they should remain open.

Saxby Chambliss
Johnny Isakson
Sonny Perdue
Chambliss and Isakson represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. Perdue is the governor of Georgia.