Statements and Testimony - Regional Hearing 8/10/05 Washington DC - Richard Burr; John Warner; Gerald E. Connolly; Jim Moran; Dave Hobson; Bob Taft Page: 2 of 105

                                
criteria the Commission must follow. The Army does not currently have the expertise to
run an airfield with the elevated operational tempo existing at Pope. For this reason, the
Commission must support and foster these joint relationships, which already exist, rather
than put an end to them.
The Commission must also reconcile the stated cost savings of altering Pope's Air Force
status with the new costs that would be paid by the Army to run an Army airfield at Pope.
The Department of Defense would see no net savings under the proposed scenario as the
airfield at Pope would be expected to operate at the same capacity regardless of which
service manages it. In fact, the Army would have to create new capabilities to manage
this airfield, at a cost not yet determined.
I am pleased the Commission has made multiple visits to Pope Air Force Base and Fort
Bragg this year. I am confident the Commission will continue to sort through the
projected cost savings and weigh the implications of potentially diminished training,
deployment and readiness for the Airborne. It is my belief that the Air Force should
maintain a strong leadership presence at Pope to promote continued joint relationships
and to ensure efficient deployment capabilities continue to exist for this unique and
essential 9-1-1 response force.
I hope the Commission will listen intently to the concerns of the military community in
North Carolina. The people of North Carolina have great respect for the sacrifices of
servicemen and women and their families and desire to continue their strong friendship
with the military bases in the state. Thank you for your time and for your service to our
country.