REGION DEFENDS MILITARY BASES.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

WESTCHESTER - Representatives from Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties argued Thursday against cutting military jobs in their counties, saying some of the changes proposed by the Pentagon could wind up hurting national security.

The appeal to the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission on behalf of Naval Base Ventura County was particularly intense from two members of Congress and three retired high-ranking Navy officers.

Ventura County stands to lose more than any county in California from the Pentagon recommendations to the commission, which could include moving more than 6,000 highly paid military and civilian jobs from Point Mugu to the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake.

``I support streamlining our military, but the ... recommendations to realign many functions from Point Mugu to China Lake ... will raise the costs to taxpayers by millions of dollars, decrease military effectiveness and harm our military personnel,'' said U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks.

``The enormity of the proposed realignment will devastate (the Ventura County naval base's) ability to execute its remaining missions and support our troops.''

Gallegly was joined by U.S. Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara; retired rear admirals George Strohshl and Dana McKinney; and Jack Dodd, the former vice commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center at Point Mugu.

When they finished their presentation on behalf of the Ventura County base about 100 members of the audience erupted with cheers and a standing ovation.

But Phil Arnold, representing the China Lake Defense Alliance, spoke to the commission later and said shifting the jobs from Ventura County to Kern County where China Lake is located would have a number of beneficial effects, including improving military effectiveness, and wind up saving money.

The BRAC Southern California hearing in Westchester on Thursday was part of a nationwide series of forums before the commission makes recommendations to President George W. Bush on Sept. 8, so it was the key opportunity for Southern California officials to make their case heard.

Dodd said moving Point Mugu's sea range, targets, test squadron and electronic warfare personnel and facilities to China Lake would cost tens of millions of dollars and reduce the safety and efficiency of operations.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also spoke to the commission but did not take a position on the potential movement of jobs from Ventura County to China Lake.

``The BRAC list is good for California,'' he said, noting that the state's economy took a big hit from previous base closures. ``We are pleased the impact is far less than it was in the past.''

California has lost more than 93,000 jobs and 29 bases since the first round of closures in 1988. More than 15,000 jobs drained out of California just in the latest one, in 1995.

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com