Don't Close Local Military Bases, Harman Urges

Resolutions to protect the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach and the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base from closing were introduced Friday by State Sen. Tom Harman.

"These bases are not only important for their military service, but also for their impact on local, regional and state economies," Harman said in a press releases. "These bases are responsible for nearly 1,500 California jobs, not to mention the business they bring to the communities surrounding them. The Orange County economy will suffer and our national security will be compromised without these bases."

Harman's Senate Joint Resolution 24 and Senate Joint Resolution 25 outline the military and economic importance of the two bases and urge California's congressional delegation and the secretary of defense to prevent them from closing.

"The Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach is the primary military operation that services and supplies the entire Pacific Fleet based in San Diego," he said. "It is a vital part of our nation’s security and defense efforts...The Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base is the sole remaining military airfield in greater Los Angeles and Orange County area. It is the largest Army airfield operated by the National Guard, and is able to accommodate nearly every class of aircraft the used by the United States military today. It makes no sense to close it."