Maine Delegation: Homeland Defense Strategy Makes The Case For NASB And Navy’s Maritime Patrol Fleet

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Tom Allen and Mike Michaud have written to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Paul McHale making a strong case for the unique and vital role the Brunswick Naval Air Station (NASB) plays in protecting the nation's homeland security. The members cited findings contained in the pre-decisional draft of Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support, a White House report of analysis and recommendations on elements of a comprehensive national homeland security plan.

"As Members of Congress from Maine, a state with a long coastline and significant maritime commercial interests, we recognize that guarding maritime approaches is an essential component in protecting the homeland," the Delegation Members wrote. "We are pleased to see that the (President's homeland security) strategy gives extensive consideration to the critical maritime aspects of homeland defense. We are strong supporters of the Navy's maritime patrol fleet. We believe that this community, with its P-3C Orion aircraft and the next generation Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA), form an indispensable component to the overall homeland defense strategy."

The Members noted that the existing maritime patrol fleet provides what the report calls for by way of a "persistent wide-area surveillance and reconnaissance of the U.S. maritime approaches." They stressed that NASB, teamed with bases in Florida, California and Washington ensures maritime patrol cover of the "four corners" of the continental United States. With a fifth base in Hawaii, the existing P-3 fleet is "optimally based to provide comprehensive maritime domain awareness." They added that the maritime patrol fleet's forthcoming transition to the even more modern MMA's with increased capabilities will allow a response time from these bases to any point on the nation's coast of less than two hours.

"Naval Air Station Brunswick is located strategically astride the Atlantic sea lanes," the Members wrote. "Aircrews from NAS Brunswick have been flying in support of Vigilant Shield since September 11, 2001. As the only capable active duty airfield in the Northeast, the base is uniquely positioned to provide awareness of the maritime approaches and protect the economically critical ports in the region."

The Delegation sent copies of the letter to National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Homeland Security Adviser Frances Fragos Townsend, and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas H. Collins.

"We welcome the development of the Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support as a critical step toward ensuring we have the right strategy, capabilities and force structure to defend the homeland," the Members concluded. "It is clear that the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol fleet will be an indispensable part of this strategy."

Click here for a copy of the letters:

Copy of the letter to Secretary Chertoff

Copy of the letter to Secretary Rumsfeld

Copy of the letter to Secretary McHale

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