Statement by Sen. Murray on Report of Base Closures

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Los Angeles Times reported today that the Pentagon was planning to close 100 military bases in a new round of closures.

Sen. Murray released the following statement:

“Washington state provides the U.S. military with some of the most specialized military platforms in the world. Our installations are essential to America’s ability to win current and future conflicts.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to provide modern and updated facilities for the military men and women in Washington State.

Each of our bases survived the past four rounds of BRAC, and I will fight to ensure this BRAC Commission recognizes Washington’s military bases are indispensable to our national defense — they are efficient, modern and effective, and it would make no sense to close them.

Our local communities have a great history of coming together to support our state’s bases. I look forward to continuing to work with local, state and federal leaders to protect these critical assets. The Department of Defense should know that we will fight to protect our bases.

Furthermore, Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane has been chosen as the training center for the new Boeing 767 air refueling tankers. I am proud of my efforts to shepherd this deal through congress and hope that we can quickly get this new asset into the hands of the Air Force.