BRAC - The Preheat Mode

The Navy tried to close NAS Lemoore fourteen months after it opened, but
Congress wouldn't let them.

Source for that info? Lemoore is one of the few unencroached air stations
we have ... a real jewel in that regard. Interestingly, it ranked last in
the military value matrix used in 1993. Check out this link and see if you
can tell how many of the listed air stations can operate 24/7 with little
impact on the local population.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/nas.htm

NAS Meridian was built so John Stennis could have medical and dental care
when Congress was out of session.

Incorrect. It was a consolation prize when Stennis didn't get the Air Force
Academy for Mississippi (not much better, eh?). I doubt he would have
bothered with NAS's rather spartan capabilities (I experienced them first
hand in early 1970) when the region's medical/dental hub was only another 12
miles down the highway.

The Navy built a new Bureau of Personnel at New Orleans. Senator Ebert
died
before it was occupied, so it was given to the Reserves, VA, Social
Security, etc.

I thought that was in New Iberia (could be wrong there).

Gore got reelected in 1996, so the BuPers move to Millington, Tennessee
survived.

Part of the BRAC plan to vacate DC. I doubt Gore was a player. NAS Memphis
was closed and the schools command was relocated at Pensacola. The real
winner was Pensacola, which lost a superfluous NADEP, but gained a huge
training complex that's unlikely to be threatened. Several hundred million
for local contractors, not a bad deal.

Then, they built a new battle group port at Ingleside. No battle group to
put there, but they couldn't quietly give away an 1,100 foot pier, etc...

Part of Lehman's "dispersal" plan for the ludicrous 600 ship Navy (nice
thought, but it was economically unfeasible. We're still paying the price
for this folly). Of course, the real reason was putting a base IN YOUR
STATE to gain the necessary political support (He once commented he'd
homeport a battleship in Iowa if he could figure a way to get it there).

No doubt powerful legislators (particularly Senators) tilt the table often,
but not always.

R / John

John,

NAS Meridian was built so John Stennis could have medical and dental care
when Congress was out of session.

Incorrect. It was a consolation prize when Stennis didn't get the Air
Force
Academy for Mississippi (not much better, eh?). I doubt he would have
bothered with NAS's rather spartan capabilities (I experienced them first
hand in early 1970) when the region's medical/dental hub was only another
12
miles down the highway.


Actually it was built AT Meridian (versus elsewhere in MS) because SEN
Stennis' hometown of DeKalb was right up Highway 39 from the base. Made it
easier for him (and - occasionally - REP "Sonny" Montgomery) to get back to
their constituents on weekends.

I never heard the "consolation prize" story but it makes as much sense as
any other I heard while I was there (1970 - 1971).

One thing I will say for SEN Stennis - he did look out for "his boys" at the
base. Example: As the result of an intemperate exchange of Anglo-Saxon
honorifics, a certain Lauderdale County constable took an extreme dislike to
one of VT-7's folks. This upstanding officer of the law initiated several
nighttime encounters with our guy, tailgating him and otherwise attempting
to "bait" him into some action that would cause his arrest. Word got back
to SEN John, who called the appropriate Lauderdale County Poo-Bahs. Said
constable found himself on a beat w-a-a-a-y down by Whynot or some such
burg.

--
Mike Kanze

"A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a
taxidermist."

- Martha Stewart's TIPS FOR REDNECKS


"John Carrier" wrote in message
...
[rest snipped]

Actually it was built AT Meridian (versus elsewhere in MS) because SEN
Stennis' hometown of DeKalb was right up Highway 39 from the base. Made
it
easier for him (and - occasionally - REP "Sonny" Montgomery) to get back
to
their constituents on weekends.

Well, if you're going to slice pork, you want to do it close to home. Sonny
wasn't in Congress when this deal was made. As it turns out, Meridian's
location makes it quite useful as a training station. No TRACOM base is as
thoroughly unencroached (even Kingsville has to observe quiet hours). MOA's
in three quadrants (I think it'll be 4 before the year is out). A handy OLF
and unlimited access to Key field (10,000 feet these days). Biggest problem
is it's a social wasteland for the bachelors who come here (albeit pretty
good for those with families).

As an aside, the "Congressman for Life" has given up his consulting business
inside the beltway and is fully retired. 85 IIRC and looking quite frail,
living in the local Cadillac quality retirement home. Good friend and a
great guy, one of the last gentleman politicians. Anyone who has cashed in
on their GI bill education over the last couple decades have a fella named
Montgomery to thank. There were many in congress who could have cared less
about those who grabbed the dirty end of the stick in service of their
country. A fitting legacy.

John X

John,

Sonny wasn't in Congress when this deal was made.

True. This was SEN John's deal, all the way. Sonny DID enjoy the benefit
as well, but IIRC he was quite circumspect in its exercise.

As it turns out, Meridian's location makes it quite useful as a training
station. No TRACOM base is as thoroughly unencroached (even Kingsville has
to observe quiet hours). MOA's in three quadrants (I think it'll be 4
before the year is out). A handy OLF and unlimited access to Key field
(10,000 feet these days).

Only training negative is its non-proximity to "blue" water, necessitating
carquals to be run as dets. (At least this was the case with the T-2s.
Don't know anything about the legs on the T-45.) This wouldn't have been
the case for the erstwhile NAS New Iberia, LA if it hadn't been strangled in
the cradle.

Biggest problem is it's a social wasteland for the bachelors who come here
(albeit pretty good for those with families).

Correct. VT-7 was my "stash" assignment right out of BJN School, and for a
bachelor who was also the only NFO on the base at the time there was little
redeeming about the place, either professionally or socially. At least the
backroads to Pensacola were picturesque and uncrowded - I wore deep ruts in
them over many weekends. After my 18 months there going to foggy, rainy
Whidbey was like getting into Heaven.

LOTSA families "got started" at Meridian during the VN era. g

Good friend and a great guy, one of the last gentleman politicians. Anyone
who has cashed in on their GI bill education over the last couple decades
have a fella named Montgomery to thank.

Amen. Well-regarded by all in his district and more than a few of us
transients.
--
Mike Kanze

"A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a
taxidermist."

- Martha Stewart's TIPS FOR REDNECKS


"John Carrier" wrote in message
...
[rest snipped]

Only training negative is its non-proximity to "blue" water, necessitating
carquals to be run as dets. (At least this was the case with the T-2s.
Don't know anything about the legs on the T-45.) This wouldn't have been
the case for the erstwhile NAS New Iberia, LA if it hadn't been strangled
in
the cradle.

No longer an issue. The closest a carrier will be to the Gulf is Key West
area. Both advanced TRACOM bases now are a leg away or more from CQ dets.

Biggest problem is it's a social wasteland for the bachelors who come
here
(albeit pretty good for those with families).

Correct. VT-7 was my "stash" assignment right out of BJN School, and for
a
bachelor who was also the only NFO on the base at the time there was
little
redeeming about the place, either professionally or socially. At least
the
backroads to Pensacola were picturesque and uncrowded - I wore deep ruts
in
them over many weekends. After my 18 months there going to foggy, rainy
Whidbey was like getting into Heaven.

Ouch! Well, Kingsville/Beeville weren't really any better, but the
proximity of Corpus (and San Antonio for Beeville) made them seem a bit more
tolerable.

LOTSA families "got started" at Meridian during the VN era. g

Still true today. Often a first shore tour after a fleet assignment. When
I was in base housing, you could look out the front windows and watch the
baby carriage grand prix.

R / John