The Future of El Toro Marine Air Station

Your recent editorial (“Reveille for Our Reps to Save El Toro,” April 20) citing public opinion polls in support of maintaining the El Toro Marine base argued that Orange County’s congressional representatives should fight to keep the base open.

The purpose of the base closure process is not to satisfy hometown cheerleaders for federal spending. It is to stretch increasingly scarce defense dollars by closing unneeded bases. The object is to save taxpayers’ money while maintaining national security.

As readers of The Times now know, the Pentagon has acknowledged in recent days that its cost estimates need more work. I have been trying to convince The Times for weeks that, in fact, the Pentagon has not yet released sufficient data to judge whether an El Toro closure really saves money.

Hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as national security, are at stake in this decision. Your recent editorial would have me weigh in with a precooked result, the facts be damned. I, for one refuse to do so--I don’t care what the polls say. And frankly, I doubt my constituents would want me to behave as nothing more than a weather vane.

Two years ago, when MCAS Tustin was listed for closure, I was one of only two congressmen in America to support the closure of a base in his district. I did so because it made economic and military sense. I am prepared to oppose the El Toro closure, but only--and I repeat only--if the evidence shows this is the best way to save taxpayer money while maintaining national security.

Each day for more than a month, my staff and I have been pressing the Pentagon for the needed facts and figures. What numbers we now have--showing that costs are substantially higher than originally estimated--are a result of that effort. In a matter of days, the Pentagon should finally release all of the data I’ve requested. When they do, we will all have in hand the information necessary to reach a common-sense judgment based on all the facts. That, and nothing less, should guide public policy on such an important matter.

CHRISTOPHER COX

Congressman, 47th District

R-Newport Beach