(Columbia) March 10, 2003 - Governor Mark Sanford unveiled his plan to prevent military bases in South Carolina from closing at a news conference at McEntire Air National Guard Station Monday morning.

Sanford signed an executive order creating the South Carolina Military Base Task Force and the Governor's Military Base Advisory Committee. The two groups will coordinate South Carolina's strategy in response to the federal Base Realignment and Closure process,

Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and Major General (Ret.) James L. Gardner, Jr. will chair the task force, which will work to maintain the Palmetto State's U.S. Department of Defense presence.

Brig. General (Ret.) Charles L. Blount; General (Ret.) George B. Crist; Major General (Ret.) James L. Gardner, Jr.; Brig. General (Ret.) Thomas R. Mikolajcik and Major General (Ret.) Thomas R. Olsen make up the committee, which will advise the governor on closing related issues.

Gardner says he hopes the committee's strong military background will help open doors, "We might be able to go in and influence some people just with the fact that we've been there."

Last week Columbia Representative Jim Harrison said the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Base Closures is considering asking the Commerce Department to provide between $200,000 and $400,000 to help in efforts to keep the bases from shutting.

Olsen says the Pentagon is already deciding what criteria to use in deciding what bases should close or lose operations. He says a list of bases will be developed by May 2005 and finalized by November 2005.

Governor Sanford says Parris Island and Fort Jackson are probably safe as they provide training, but places like Shaw AFB, Charleston Air Base, Beaufort Marine Air Station, and McEntire are vulnerable, "Believe it or not, 2005 is almost here. What will happen is, you know, in a very short time lists will begin to be made. And, if you find yourself on the list, it becomes that much tougher to get yourself off the list. So, it's important that we begin the process early."

South Carolina lost Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in 1993. Charleston Naval Base closed in 1996.

Sanford would consider paid lobbyists if the task force decides they're necessary. He said South Carolina can probably only afford to spend about $200,000 in the campaign to prevent the Pentagon from closing military bases. Sanford says the military is a $4.3 billion business in South Carolina.

by Megan Hughes
Updated 7:48pm by BrettWitt