Del.'s political leaders stand up for base

[cyberpj]

By JENNIFER BROOKS / News Journal Washington Bureau
07/09/2005

TOWSON, Md. -- The Pentagon's plan to strip Delaware's Air National Guard base of all of its planes was based on faulty math and incomplete information, and was undertaken without the permission of the guard's commander in chief, state officials told the military base closing commission Friday.

"As commander in chief of the Delaware National Guard, I do not consent to the realignment," Gov. Ruth Ann Minner told members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission at a regional meeting near Baltimore.

The panel is reviewing the Pentagon's recommendations for base closings and realignments as the Defense Department continues its plan to restructure the military. Friday's meeting allowed citizens from Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland to air their concerns over proposals to shut down or streamline bases in their communities.

(snip)
More than 150 Delaware Guard troops and their supporters traveled to Towson to protest the plan. Addressing the panel alongside Minner were Sens. Joe Biden and Tom Carper and Rep. Mike Castle.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS01/507090308/1006/NEWS