CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY : Military Bases Seen as Future Airports

Southland congressmen want two San Bernardino County military bases slated for closure to be considered as sites for new airports intended to relieve crowding at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport. At a meeting in Washington convened by Rep. Ron Packard (R-Carlsbad), an opponent of proposals to locate a new airport in Orange or San Diego counties, there was general agreement that any new airports should be developed in less-populated and less-mountainous areas of Southern California. Packard said George Air Force Base near Victorville was discussed as a strong candidate. The congressmen also discussed moving all air cargo and overnight mail service from John Wayne to Norton Air Force Base near San Bernardino.