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HARMAN BRINGS TOP OFFICIALS TO
L.A. AIR FORCE BASE

--Hosts Briefing on Land-for-Construction Swap--

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El Segundo, February 20 - US Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach) today brought two key federal officials to Los Angeles Air Force Base Space and Missile Command (SMC) to discuss the status of future base renovations.

Nelson Gibbs, Air Force Assistant Secretary of Installations, Environment and Logistics and Congressman Norm Dicks (D-WA), a Member of the influential Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the House, participated in the visit as Harman's guests. Both are in key positions to support renovation efforts.

Harman, Ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, set up the event in order to highlight the critical role the El Segundo base plays in the nation's defense. SMC is the lead contractor for the Air Force's key missile and space programs, many of which are manufactured in the South Bay.

"The intellectual capital represented at SMC and local defense and aerospace firms provides an essential economic, industrial and military asset to the nation that could not be replicated," she said. "But the base needs to be renovated."

SMC buildings date to the 1950's and many do not meet current seismic and safety requirements. As a result, Congress authorized an innovative land-for-construction swap in which the Air Force will trade excess land to a developer, who in turn will construct new base facilities. Final selection of a developer is expected to be announced mid-June.

SMC's future has been threatened periodically and some have suggested dismantling it and moving it elsewhere. Harman led community efforts in blocking the move during prior rounds of military base closures, calling the move unjustified and deleterious to the nation's security. Joined by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Harman last year persuaded then incoming Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to reject a suggestion from New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici to move SMC to Kirkland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The land-for-construction swap was also supported by then-Representative Steve Kuykendall in the 106th Congress.

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