GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE RESOLUTION 1002*

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Sponsors: Representatives Nichols; Edwards, Grady, Preston, Snowden, and Wainwright.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

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May 2, 1995

A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING NORTH CAROLINA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THE TRANSFER OF THE F-18 AIRCRAFT WING FROM THE NAVAL AIR STATION CECIL FIELD, FLORIDA, TO THE MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, the decision of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to transfer the F-18 Aircraft Wing from the Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Florida to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point was based on the following criteria:
(1)	Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point has higher "Military Value";
(2)	Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point selection would alleviate concerns regarding future environmental and land use problems;
(3)	Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point selection dovetails with and enhances joint navy and marine corps doctrine of employment of navy and marine corps aircraft carriers; and
(4)	Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia has a lower military value; and
Whereas, there is a new effort to transfer the F-18 Aircraft Wing to Naval Air Station Oceana rather than to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, challenging the Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision; and
Whereas, this effort appears to be for political reasons not associated with the objective criteria established by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision; and
Whereas, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and the Secretary of Defense's decisions clearly established the greater military value of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; and
Whereas, approximately $150 million is generated annually by the F-18 Aircraft Wing; and
Whereas, the economic impact criteria seems to be the reason politics has entered into the decision making process; and
Whereas, Eastern North Carolina's economy would be far more positively affected by transfer of the F-18 Aircraft Wing to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point than would the economy of Eastern Virginia due to the extreme lack of industry in Eastern North Carolina; and
Whereas, planes based at Naval Air Station Oceana, because of their proximity to North Carolina, do much of their primary training in the ranges and restricted military air spaces of Eastern North Carolina; and
Whereas, Eastern North Carolina would still be subject to the noise impact from training if the planes are based at Naval Air Station Oceana;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
Section 1.  North Carolina's Congressional Delegation is urged to utilize the auspices of their respective offices in every way conceivable to ensure the transfer of the F-18 Aircraft Wing to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
Sec. 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each member of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation and to the Secretary of Defense.
Sec. 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.