Va. leaders oppose idea of closing JFCOMThe Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jul 23, 2010 17:57:47 EDT
NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia political leaders are opposing a possible recommendation to eliminate the Norfolk-based Joint Forces Command.
Gov. Bob McDonnell and several members of the state’s congressional delegation expressed concern Friday after learning that a Defense Department advisory board may recommend the closure to reduce defense spending.
McDonnell said the command is crucial to national defense and eliminating it would be a mistake. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner and Congressmen Eric Cantor, Glenn Nye, Randy Forbes, Rob Wittman and Bobby Scott also raised national security concerns. Nothing is expected to happen until at least October.The command employs more than 5,000 civilian and military personnel.