Legislature backs airbase

The Idaho Legislature went on record last week in support of Mountain Home AFB and urged Congresss to "give strong consideration to both increasing the current mission and adding additional missions" to the base.

The support was made in the form of a joint resolution of the House and Senate, prepared by state Sen. Fred Kennedy of Mountain Home, which passed overwhelmingly and put the state on record as opposing any reduction of the base due to the upcoming base realignment and closure process.

The legislature noted that "the State of Idaho considers Mountain Home Air Force Base to be an extremely important component of the strategic military defense of the United States of America," and goes on to state that "the closure -- or reduction in the mission -- of Mountain Home Air Force Base. . . would have a serious adverse economic impact on the City of Mountain Home, Elmore County, the Treasure Valley, and indeed the entire state of Idaho."

The joint resolution notes that the base realignment and closure process, in order to maximize the security of the nation, "will necessitate utilizing the most cost-effective and versitile bases," which Mountain Home AFB has demonstrated itself to be. In fact, the resolution points out, its cost of operation is among the lowest in the nation.

The resolution also states that, "the state of Idaho has worked closely with the United States Air Force in order to significantly increase the size and capabilities of the training range used by Mountain Home Air Force Base, demonstrating the commitment of the state of Idaho to the United States Air Force and the strategic defense of the United States of America."

It concluded by stating that " the Congress of the United States should give strong consideration to both increasing the current mission and adding additional missions to Mountain Home Air Force Base."

A copy of the resolution will be sent to: "President George W. Bush, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Congress, and the congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho in the Congress of the United States."