Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today met with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta with a bipartisan group of representatives to discuss military communities and the Department of Defense’s request for a new Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. Larsen’s district includes Naval Station Everett, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and the Marysville Armed Forces Reserve Center which will be commissioned this weekend.
“Today’s meeting with Secretary Panetta was an important opportunity to discuss the importance of military bases to the communities that house them,” Larsen said. “While the Department of Defense has requested another Base Realignment and Closure round, it is a nonstarter in Congress. Secretary Panetta assured us that the Defense Department would not move forward with BRAC without Congressional support. “Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Station Everett and the newly opening Marysville Armed Forces Reserve Center are integral parts of our communities’ personalities and economies.
“Even if a BRAC round were to be initiated, our installations are in a stronger position than ever. The Navy’s recent decision to move three new destroyers to Everett and their renewed commitment to bring the P-8As to Whidbey Island shows the Department understands the bases’ strategic importance and their community’s support for their presence.
“Secretary Panetta clearly understands that military personnel are important residents of their communities and that any changes to bases must be made with the understanding of the impact on their neighbors.”
