Cape Naval Reserve Center to close

The Naval Reserve Center in Cape Girardeau, which has deployed local men and women to U.S. wars and conflicts for more than 50 years, is among the military installations and offices that would close under a Pentagon plan announced Friday.

But local and federal officials pledged to challenge some of the realignments, closings and consolidations that would cost Missouri nearly 4,000 military and civilian jobs.

Missouri's two largest installations -- Whiteman Air Force Base near Sedalia and Fort Leonard Wood near Waynesville -- would remain intact, though other smaller installations would close, like the local center, or face realignment.

Commanding officer Lt. Jeremy Freeman said there had been speculation that the Cape Girardeau Naval Reserve Center would close, but that he got the official word Friday.

Freeman, who was assigned to his post in October, was stoic about the decision.

"There's no place for personal feelings in the military," he said. "It's going to help the Navy align itself better. It's a cost-saving measure, not a reflection of the work of my staff."

The center is made up about 150 part-time reservists who attend drills once a month and seven full-time staff. The center includes a construction unit, a hospital support detachment and an operational support unit.

Freeman said the reservists have the option of drilling at other units or being discharged when the center closes, which he said may take as long as a year to take place.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, area reservists have been deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, Freeman said.

The Naval Reserve Training Center was formed in Cape Girardeau in the 1940s. Reservists met at a sheet-metal Quonset hut at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. They moved to their present quarters at 2530 Marie Louise Lane in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, legislators expressed outrage over the Pentagon's plans.

"I am appalled by today's announcement," Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., said. "This misguided recommendation makes absolutely no sense and jeopardizes both jobs and the safety of our state."

In a joint statement, Bond, fellow Republican Sen. Jim Talent, and Republican Gov. Matt Blunt said they will "vigorously oppose these harmful recommendations."

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, said that the government must be careful when it closes any military facility that affects its national defense and homeland security.

"I have major concerns over some of the recommendations it contains," she said in a prepared statement. "I want to make certain that everyone involved in the final decision looks closely at how this will affect us in the heartland. I plan to work with my colleagues to ensure that the utmost consideration is given to all of our installations in the Midwest."

The list of base closures and realignments, prepared by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, is part of the military's effort to save money and make itself leaner to meet post-Cold War needs. Rumsfeld's list is not final, and must be approved by the BRAC Commission and Congress.

The Pentagon would close the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Kansas City and St. Louis, shedding more than 900 workers.

Also slated for closing are the Army National Guard Reserve Center at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis; the Marine Corps Support Center, and Navy Recruiting District Headquarters, both in Kansas City.

A fighter-jet wing based at Lambert Airport in St. Louis would be moved to Air Force bases in Nellis, Nev., and Atlantic City, N.J., the city said Friday.

A Pentagon list also included closing or realigning of "leased space in Missouri," that will cost 2,093 jobs. Col. Bob Leeker, vice wing commander with the 131th Fighter Wing, said the Pentagon could not say what or where those jobs are.

Bond said at a news conference at Lambert that he was "stunned" by the proposed closure of the 131st Fighter Wing.

"The Department of Defense didn't have a clue about the role of homeland security," Bond said. "I think we have an excellent case. The fight's on. We'll make sure the 131st doesn't close."

Staff writer Scott Moyers contributed to this report.