Apparently, while another round of base closures are about to be announced, Hawaii isn't as worried as most other states:
Ian Lind spotted this article from Seattle spelling out the town-versus-town reality of competing for a federal military presence (and the accompanying economic boost):
Hope Lingle's got her boxing gloves on.
U.S. Rep. Ed Case agrees with defense analysts who say that threats posed by China and North Korea could help Hawaii escape the next round of realignment and closure of military bases. Case said yesterday that he has not received any advance briefings by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. However, he believes that in the next decade, "the posture of our defense will be oriented to Asia and the Pacific rather than Euro-centric. That would highlight Hawaii's role in the nation's defense posture," he said. "That also would mean that the West Coast and Hawaii would (be) less likely to be affected by BRAC because of the long-range problems in Asia."
Washington's congressional delegation and local officials have traveled to the Pentagon in recent months to tout Naval Station Everett and other bases. And some of those conversations have focused squarely on competition from Hawaii, which hasn't based a carrier at Pearl Harbor since World War II...
In devising tomorrow's list, Pentagon planners take into account a wide range of financial, strategic and political considerations. Hawaii, for example, touts its proximity to East Asia and long history with military bases. But Everett's lobbyist in D.C., retired Adm. James Seely, noted Hawaii lacks practice ranges for carrier fighter-bombers, which would have to train stateside. And building new carrier infrastructure in Hawaii could cost around $2.2 billion...
The Pentagon may not decide whether to deploy a carrier in Hawaii tomorrow, leaving that choice for another day.And even if Pentagon planners want to go ahead with a new station in Hawaii, some military watchers say it should move one of the five carriers at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia...
With billions of defense dollars at stake, it's common for targeted communities to point fingers at others they want to be in the commission's sights. And if it comes to that, Washington officials say they are ready to play hardball. "We are poised to respond," said Antonio Ginatta, adviser to Gov. Christine Gregoire.
In devising tomorrow's list, Pentagon planners take into account a wide range of financial, strategic and political considerations. Hawaii, for example, touts its proximity to East Asia and long history with military bases. But Everett's lobbyist in D.C., retired Adm. James Seely, noted Hawaii lacks practice ranges for carrier fighter-bombers, which would have to train stateside. And building new carrier infrastructure in Hawaii could cost around $2.2 billion...
The Pentagon may not decide whether to deploy a carrier in Hawaii tomorrow, leaving that choice for another day.And even if Pentagon planners want to go ahead with a new station in Hawaii, some military watchers say it should move one of the five carriers at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia...
With billions of defense dollars at stake, it's common for targeted communities to point fingers at others they want to be in the commission's sights. And if it comes to that, Washington officials say they are ready to play hardball. "We are poised to respond," said Antonio Ginatta, adviser to Gov. Christine Gregoire.
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