Skip to main content

CONGRESSMAN COSTA RESPONDS TO BASE CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT

May 23, 2007

Washington, D.C. - Today,Congressman Costa responded to the unfortunate news that Lemoore Naval AirStation (Lemoore NAS), which is located in Fresnoand Kings Counties, has been included on the initiallist of this year's round of base closures.

"I respectfully disagree with the Department ofDefense's decision to close Lemoore Naval Air Station. The base provides a great service to the nationand community. I will be very active inthe review process and will do everything I can to reverse this decision," statedCosta.

Congressman Costa received the information thismorning and stressed that is not a final decision. "While this list is the Base Realignment andClosure Commissioners' recommendations, the final decision will not be made forseveral months. Just as I have been veryactive in contacting the Department of Defense and President Bush before thedecision was made, I will continue to do everything possible to keep Lemoore open,"Costa said.

Over the last several months, Congressman Costa hascontacted Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield and President Bush severaltimes regarding the important work that Lemoore NAS does for the Central Valley and the protection the base provides theWest Coast.

Lemoore Naval Air Station is a key component to theNavy's Pacific Fleet operations. The base is home to ten combat ready strikefighter squadrons trained to conduct carrier-based, all weather, attack,fighter and support missions for the Pacific Fleet. In addition, Lemoore NAS conducts jointtraining missions with Army and National Guard aircraft located nearby.

"I believe that moving Lemoore would jeopardize thehomeland security interests of the Central Valley and all people in California. I strongly oppose the Commissioners' decisionto close this base," concluded Costa.

# # #