Navy SWEF

* Re “Coastal Panel Rejects Expansion of Navy’s Warfare Test Center,” April 15.

I am writing to express my complete support of the Surface Weapons Engineering Facility radar test operations at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme. The Navy is the largest employer in Ventura County and has always demonstrated the highest integrity and concern for the community.

Before I retired I worked for the Port Hueneme division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center for more than 21 years. Specifically, I managed one of the weapon system facilities at the SWEF. I am truly confident that the Navy has complied with all requirements for safe operations at the SWEF.

Additionally, I have served as the fire control officer responsible for missile radar operations in three Navy ships and am uniquely qualified and knowledgeable of those requirements for personnel safety in the near and distant field of radar operations. One of these ships was powered by nuclear power and lived for more than two years very close to operational reactors. In these areas, I never felt the Navy did anything to endanger the safety of its personnel.

I believe the Navy at Port Hueneme has demonstrated good faith in every requirement levied by the Coastal Commission. I strongly support the continued improvements to the SWEF in order to maintain a strong and viable Navy. I consider myself a representative community member of the majority of the residents of Ventura County.

WILLIAM G. HERBERT

Ventura

* It appears to me that almost every time I pick up a newspaper there is another story about the Navy being a “bad neighbor” by not agreeing to the latest and ever changing demands of a small group of beachfront residents.

Even though numerous studies by the Navy as well as civilian experts have shown no detrimental effects to the local citizenry, the demands just go on and on and on.

Please save my tax dollars by letting the Navy operate its site without this harassment and move on to some other coastal issues, such as the huge houses that the Los Angeles mayor and his friends want to build in Malibu.

VITAUTS JANKOVSKIS

Camarillo