Closing Air Force Base Would Cost Jobs

Recent articles and letters to the editor in local newspapers have addressed the housing needs of Air Force members serving at Los Angeles AFB (LAAFB) in El Segundo. As a 30-year resident in this area, I encourage citizens to take time to understand the issue and become involved in this critical need.

Air Force families move frequently, often on short notice. They can find themselves suddenly and unexpectedly relocated to a high-cost-of-living area. They hope to find on-base housing, as they are often financially unprepared to buy a home in a major metropolitan area. In fact, the frequency and unpredictability of these moves precludes many from ever purchasing a home or building equity.

The government recognizes their predicament. It tries to provide on-base quarters and arrange low-cost rental housing. In the case of LAAFB, an independent survey has identified a current deficit of 250 military housing units. This fact raises significantly the possibility that LAAFB will be on a 1993 list of bases selected to be closed under the 1990 Base Closure Realignment Act.

Closing LAAFB would cost our area at least 2,300 military and government civilian jobs. It will also likely lead to the relocation of another 3,500 local employees and the loss of 8,000 associated jobs in the area. The economic impact on the South Bay alone could ultimately exceed $5 billion annually.

Military families deserve adequate housing, and we must maintain the Air Force presence in the South Bay area. I suggest each of you contact your local officials to ask them what they are doing to support Air Force efforts to build the required 250 housing units.

JOAN M. PAULIKAS, Palos Verdes Estates