Air Force Lab May Be Moved to New Mexico

The Air Force’s geophysics research laboratory, which employs 550 workers in Bedford, Mass., may be moved to New Mexico as part of a “super lab” taking shape there, spokesmen for Rep. Chester G. Atkins (D-Mass.) said Tuesday.

Such a switch would not only cost Massachusetts an annual payroll estimated at more than $10 million, but it would hurt a host of high-tech companies that have cropped up to do business with the geophysics laboratory at Hanscom Air Force Base.

“Clearly it’s something the Air Force is interested in doing and thinking about doing,” said Linda Hartke, Washington administrative assistant to Atkins, whose district includes the base.

The first step in such a move was made in December when some of the geophysics lab’s administrative functions were consolidated into those of the Phillips Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M.

Since then, the geophysics lab, which does a wide range of scientific research into everything from seismic activity to the effects of sunlight on spacecraft, has been a unit of the Phillips Laboratory.

However, actual physical consolidation of the labs is still uncertain.

“It’s only under consideration at this point,” said Rob Henken, another Atkins aide.

“Right now, there is no plan to move anyone physically to Albuquerque,” said an Air Force spokesman. “We’re waiting for a decision by the secretary of the Air Force in regard to that.”

Henken said the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation had signed a letter seeking to prevent the closing of the Bedford lab.

“It’s something we’re concerned about and working very hard to prevent,” Henken said.

The Air Force, which has been pushed by Congress to cut costs through base closings and consolidations, is expected to announce April 15 a new list of bases to be phased out, Henken said. Kirtland Air Force Base has emerged as one of four “super labs,” Henken said.

Henken said he does not know if Hanscom’s geophysics lab will be on that list, but he predicted that the facility’s fate is likely to be decided “soon.”

Even if the Bedford research facility is moved, it would likely be a phased closing that would take place over years rather than in one abrupt action, Henken said.

“They’re talking about a gradual migration over several years,” Henken said.