Panel member doubts base closure plans

WASHINGTON – A member of the nation’s base-closing commission suggested Wednesday that the military wants to close some bases that could be needed later.

“We shouldn’t rush into closing down facilities that we may need in the future,” former congressman James Bilbray said as the Base Realignment and Closure Commission continued hearings into the Pentagon’s plan to close nearly 180 military installations including 33 major facilities.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld submitted the recommendations last week. The commission is using that plan as a starting point in preparing a base-restructuring package to submit to President Bush by Sept. 8.

On Wednesday, Bilbray said the closure of several installations in previous base overhauls may have been unwise and suggested the military may be repeating the mistake.

For example, Bilbray said he’s worried about the proposed closure of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, saying they may be needed for aircraft returning from overseas bases being closed or downsized.