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BRAC report sets city abuzz
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
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McKeon opposes
Pentagon proposal
Pentagon proposal
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Rep. McCarthy visits thriving space port
China Lake Alliance President Jack Connell introduces Vice
Adm. David Architzel, who addressed local residents at an
alliance reception last week, held the evening before the
BRAC announcement. Photo by Laura Austin
Adm. David Architzel, who addressed local residents at an
alliance reception last week, held the evening before the
BRAC announcement. Photo by Laura Austin
As word of a Pentagon proposal for two more rounds
of Base Realignment and Closure rippled through the
community, speculation ranged from anxiety to cautious
optimism about the impact on China Lake.
But in light of the legislative super committee’s failure
last fall to identify enough cuts to save impending
military reductions and last month’s announcement
from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta of efforts to
revamp the military into a “leaner, stronger, more
versatile” force, very few exhibited surprise at the BRAC
proposal.
The last two BRAC rounds produced drastically
different results for China Lake — yielding thousands of
billet losses in the 1990s and millions in new
development in 2005. The economic uncertainty of the
last several years prompted whispers of another BRAC
even before the Pentagon proposal...
of Base Realignment and Closure rippled through the
community, speculation ranged from anxiety to cautious
optimism about the impact on China Lake.
But in light of the legislative super committee’s failure
last fall to identify enough cuts to save impending
military reductions and last month’s announcement
from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta of efforts to
revamp the military into a “leaner, stronger, more
versatile” force, very few exhibited surprise at the BRAC
proposal.
The last two BRAC rounds produced drastically
different results for China Lake — yielding thousands of
billet losses in the 1990s and millions in new
development in 2005. The economic uncertainty of the
last several years prompted whispers of another BRAC
even before the Pentagon proposal...
Even as local officials are posturing to put
best foot forward in anticipation of new
rounds of Base Realignment and Closure
(see related story, this page), House Armed
Services Committee Chair Howard “Buck”
McKeon has voiced opposition to Defense
Secretary Leon Panetta’s proposal.
McKeon, who represents some residents
in the north and east of the local district,
visited Ridgecrest last fall with Rep. Kevin
McCarthy. The two congressmen toured
China Lake and addressed local audiences,
expressing commitment to the Navy’s local
mission.
McKeon issued a detailed critique of the
DOD’s previewed budget, stating that “the
president has abandoned the defense
structure that has protected America for two
generations.”
best foot forward in anticipation of new
rounds of Base Realignment and Closure
(see related story, this page), House Armed
Services Committee Chair Howard “Buck”
McKeon has voiced opposition to Defense
Secretary Leon Panetta’s proposal.
McKeon, who represents some residents
in the north and east of the local district,
visited Ridgecrest last fall with Rep. Kevin
McCarthy. The two congressmen toured
China Lake and addressed local audiences,
expressing commitment to the Navy’s local
mission.
McKeon issued a detailed critique of the
DOD’s previewed budget, stating that “the
president has abandoned the defense
structure that has protected America for two
generations.”
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Rep. Kevin McCarthy addresses the press corps after a meeting with
leaders at Mojave Air and Space Port. Photo by Laura Austin
leaders at Mojave Air and Space Port. Photo by Laura Austin
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, at a meeting last
week with management and industry leaders
of Mojave Air and Space Port, pledged his
commitment to keeping overregulation from
choking off growth and innovation for
aerospace technology — which serves as a
significant economic force in the region.
“When you travel around the country at a
time when everyone is struggling, it is
exciting to see what is going on here in
Mojave,” said McCarthy, whose
congressional district includes the IWV and
Mojave.
Although Mojave has been a nexus for
aviation milestones for decades, the last 10
years have seen it develop into the birthplace
of the commercial space industry.
week with management and industry leaders
of Mojave Air and Space Port, pledged his
commitment to keeping overregulation from
choking off growth and innovation for
aerospace technology — which serves as a
significant economic force in the region.
“When you travel around the country at a
time when everyone is struggling, it is
exciting to see what is going on here in
Mojave,” said McCarthy, whose
congressional district includes the IWV and
Mojave.
Although Mojave has been a nexus for
aviation milestones for decades, the last 10
years have seen it develop into the birthplace
of the commercial space industry.
Industry leaders, elected officials discuss policy