Brownback says Forbes Field may not survive next year's round of

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Feb 10, 2004 by Ric Anderson Capital-Journal

Although he hasn't seen any hard evidence suggesting Forbes Field will be targeted for closure, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said he was worried about the Topeka installation's future.

"One I am concerned about is Forbes," Brownback said Monday before the state Senate Commerce and Joint Economic Development committees. "We're going to work and make sure we do everything we can to keep Forbes operational and open."

Brownback discussed the base when asked for an update on the military's plans to reduce its infrastructure nationwide by 25 percent in 2005 through Base Realignment and Closure procedures, commonly known as BRAC. The process will question the necessity of each military installation, including Forbes and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita.

While Brownback wouldn't describe Forbes as vulnerable, he said he shared concerns he had heard from local officials about the base's prospects of surviving the next round of BRAC. The base houses the Kansas Air National Guard 190th Air Refueling Wing.

Brownback said the basis for those concerns lay in Forbes' proximity and similarity to McConnell, where the 22nd Air Refueling Wing plans to expand from 48 KC-135 tankers to 72 in 2010.

"I think where people draw it from is you're going to have the world's largest tanker fleet in Wichita and in a 30-minute flight, you're in Topeka at a smaller tanker wing," he said. "But that doesn't mean you need to consolidate."

Brownback said Forbes' standing would be strengthened if the Army moved the 1st Infantry Division back to Fort Riley from the division's current headquarters in Germany. He said Fort Riley had an "excellent shot" at reclaiming the division, known as the "Big Red One."

"It's important for Fort Riley that Forbes be open, because you have to have your movement capacity and lift capacity for Riley," he said. "And that's located at Forbes with the major runways here."

In a comment similar to one made last week by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R- Kan., Brownback said McConnell was in "great shape" to survive BRAC.

The Department of Defense is scheduled to compile a list of proposed base closings in mid-2005. Congress and the president will make final cuts by the end of that year.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is in the final stages of assembling a state commission to examine BRAC issues. Her proposed budget includes $250,000 for consulting and lobbying services aimed at retaining Kansas bases.

Brownback has spoken to military administrators about Fort Riley but hasn't revealed details on any work he has undertaken regarding Forbes. He said he planned to speak with National Guard officials and fellow congressional delegates to form a plan for the Topeka base, including discussing the possibility of changing the base's mission.

Ric Anderson can be reached at ric.anderson@cjonline.com or (785) 296-3005.