20 September 2005
Kansas to gain thousands of military, civilian jobs from base realignment
Governor Sebelius says state economy, military bases to grow
Kansas will gain more than 13,000 military and civilian jobs as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, Governor Kathleen Sebelius said today. Late last week, President Bush endorsed the BRAC Commission’s recommendation and sent them to Congress for approval.
The President’s list keeps all four of the major military installations in Kansas open and will add personnel at each of the bases.
“Kansas has a proud military tradition, one we’ve worked hard to honor. Our actions to support military families have not gone unnoticed. Kansas bases will grow, and our economy will prosper as a result,” Governor Sebelius said.
The BRAC Commission’s recommendations which the President endorses would have the following effects:
All four Kansas installations would remain open and operational.
Fort Riley would receive approximately 9,700 additional military personnel due to the repositioning of military forces which are currently overseas. The commission approved the Army’s overall repositioning plan for overseas forces, which included Fort Riley. This would bring to nearly 12,000 the additional personnel at Fort Riley. This would result in approximately a $390 million annual impact to the regional economy, bringing the total to $1.255 billion. In addition, over $1 billion would be invested in base construction over the next few years.
The 22nd Air Refueling Wing (ARW) at McConnell Air Force Base would receive an additional 17 KC-135R air refueling tankers to supplement the 31 tanker aircraft currently operated by the 22nd ARW and the 932nd Air Reserve Refueling Group at the base. This would bring the 22nd’s inventory of aircraft to 48 KC-135R model tankers. Approximately 500 additional personnel would be added at McConnell, which would result in a $36 million annual increase over the current level of $430 million.
The 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field would receive 12 KC-135R air refueling tankers and retire their 10 older model tankers. Approximately 247 additional personnel will be assigned to Forbes, which would result in a $10 million annual increase for a total of $86M in economic impact to the area.
The 184th Air Refueling Wing at McConnell would convert to new missions that expand upon the military intelligence and information technology missions which the 184th currently performs.
Fort Leavenworth, home of the US Army’s Command and General Staff College, would retain its current missions, and be designated as the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility. Approximately 200 additional personnel would be stationed at Fort Leavenworth increasing the local annual economic impact by $15 million, to a total of $400 million.
The President approved a Department of Defense (DOD) recommendation to close the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant near Parsons. The plant is a government owned, contractor operated facility, employing eight civilian government employees and approximately 275 contractor positions. Federal, state and community officials are working together to seek an expedited turnover of the property to a local redevelopment authority. Efforts are also underway to make certain the Army covers the estimated $32 million of environmental clean up.
In 2004, Governor Sebelius formed the Governor’s Strategic Military Planning Commission (GSMPC), chaired by Lieutenant Governor John Moore, to work with the Kansas Congressional Delegation, the Pentagon, and the potentially affected communities to prepare for the 2005 base realignment and closure process.
Lieutenant Governor Moore, reacting to the President’s approval of the BRAC Commission’s recommendation, said, “We are encouraged by the recommendations of the BRAC Commission which significantly benefit the State of Kansas and validate the military value of the installations and the military units our State. We will work closely with the Parsons community and our congressional delegation to mitigate any economic impact of the Kansas Ammunition Plant action. We have time to examine how the community economic base can be transitioned and strengthened in the future.”
In recognition that the BRAC review process has been hard fought and executed with the total support of State and local government as well as the Kansas delegation, Governor Sebelius said, “I appreciate the Lieutenant Governor’s leadership throughout this process, as well as the significant efforts of commission members and our congressional delegation to bring us to this point. We have worked successfully to first influence and now support the recommendations that benefited the State of Kansas. The support of the Congressional delegation, and the support and hard work of our commissioners and community leaders was critical to the successful completion of this process.”
Underscoring the importance of the contribution Kansas military installations provide the nation and the state, Governor Sebelius said, “Our state and our communities are so much stronger thanks to our service men and women. Whether on active duty, in the reserves, or serving in the Kansas National Guard, we are proud of all Kansas soldiers and airmen. Their daily sacrifices enable all of us to enjoy the freedoms we have in this great country.”
Congress, which has never rejected the findings of previous BRAC Commissions, has 45 days to review the Commission’s recommended actions after they receive them from the President. If Congress takes no action, the Commission’s findings become final. Congress must accept or reject in total the Commission’s determinations. Rejection of the recommendations is only possible if both the House and the Senate adopt a Joint Congressional Resolution in opposition to the Commission’s findings.
