Navy, Civilian Workers Express Shock and Skepticism Over Vote

Word that the naval station at Point Mugu had been added Wednesday to a list of military bases recommended for closure spread quickly among the thousands who live and work at the sprawling center.

Shock, disbelief and skepticism ruled the emotions of many Navy and civilian workers at the air weapons station.

Although the base closure is far from certain, several workers decried the vote of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, calling it an uninformed decision that could cost more money than it would save.

“I’m concerned,” said Marge Hays, a Point Mugu public affairs officer for six years. “But once the committee gets down to the nitty-gritty, I think they will see the flaws in the report.”

Hays, whose husband is a range master at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, said they would not leave Ventura County even if her job ends.

Her husband already has taken the civil service exam needed for a job with the Sheriff’s Department, Hays said, adding, “I’ll either do (public relations) or become a stay-at-home mom.”

Others said it makes more sense to shut down land-locked Navy bases such as China Lake rather than a sea-testing range on the coast.

“We’re located by the water, and that’s where Navy bases are supposed to be,” said Thomas Reilly, a Northrup engineer who has worked at Point Mugu since 1972.

“Out of 40 Navy laboratories and research facilities, we’re constantly ranked in the top five,” said Reilly, who complained that many recent military cuts have not saved much money.

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“It doesn’t make sense to take things and move them around,” he said. “That’s all they’re doing, and they’re doing it at tremendous expense.”

Local officials have warned for months that closing the bases at Point Mugu or Port Hueneme would eventually cost thousands of jobs and have a devastating ripple effect on the Ventura County economy.

Employees at several on-base businesses said Wednesday that the committee recommendation could force them to look for new work.

“It’s a shame,” said Heather Elliott, an operations assistant at Mugu’s Pizza & More for the past 2 1/2 years. “They’ve already downsized quite a bit since I’ve been here.

“I guess I’ll be looking for another job.”

The manager of the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant situated in the middle of the Point Mugu base said he would miss serving lunch to the military community, should the center be mothballed.

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“But I’ll still work for McDonald’s,” said Steve Davis. “We have eight restaurants in the county, so I’ll be assured of a job.”

Enlisted men and women complained that their quality of life might decline if they are forced to relocate to the China Lake Navy base situated high in the Mojave Desert.

“It’s kind of lonely out there,” said airman Anthony Jones-Williams, a 22-year-old veteran of five years who lives off base in Los Angeles. “I’m sure a lot of people in my squadron would feel that way.”

Airplane maintenance trainee Andrea DeSard said she has heard nothing inviting about China Lake.

“I’d rather stay here at Point Mugu,” the 19-year-old enlistee said. “It’s right by the beach and there’s a lot more things to do. One way is Santa Barbara and the other way is L. A. and Santa Monica.”

Eating lunch nearby, aviation electrician Garreth Bond said China Lake was “up in the middle of nowhere.” But the 25-year-old enlisted man tried to remain optimistic.

“It’s probably not going to happen for two or three years,” he said. “By that time I hope to transfer, but I may not have much of a choice.”

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Some Navy employees complained that Washington officials are making cuts where the military can least afford them--in the ranks.

“A lot of people are worried because a government job used to be secure,” said one man, a military groundskeeper who declined to give his name. “But they’re cutting from the low when they should be cutting from the top.”

Still others, however, are growing weary of the off-again, on-again threats from Washington on whether Point Mugu and Port Hueneme will survive the ongoing military cutbacks.

“I wish they’d make up their minds,” Navy hospitality director Joe Naputi said. “I thought we were off the table and now we’re back on. It’s kind of confusing.”