Texas representative visits base, community

The chairman of a House committee that approves funding for the military said Wednesday that Cannon Air Force Base’s future as a special operations wing is secure because of unconventional forces such as al-Qaida.

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, said special operations will remain the preferred way to take on insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, and even modern-day pirates who operate off the African coast.

“From a military viewpoint, it makes more sense to have more and more of the special operations capabilities to take on those threats,” said Reyes, head of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Reyes, who represents the 16th Congressional district, which covers El Paso and the surrounding areas, met with more than a dozen community leaders and business owners to discuss military affairs.

Reyes was also campaigning in New Mexico on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

“It was a meet and greet event for the congressman and to hear interest on Cannon Air Force Base,” said ENMR-Plateau director of economic development and government relations Raymond Mondragon, who introduced Reyes to the group at the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Enterprise Center.

 “I think it’s important to build a relationship with Congressman Reyes and place Cannon Air Force Base on the forefront (of military affairs),” Mondragon said.

Local Growth Management Organization Chairman Lonnie Leslie asked Reyes about getting the exact number of personnel moving to Cannon —  officials estimate base personnel to reach about 5,000 by 2010.

“It’s virtually impossible to start construction without lead time,” Leslie said.

Reyes, who also serves on the House Arms Services Committee, said those numbers are hard to determine. He said he understands the need for specific troop numbers as the population of Fort Bliss, which falls in his district, is expected to increase from about 14,000 to 45,000.

“We want to make sure when the troops arrive there’s adequate housing and the quality of life is taken care of,” he said.

Reyes also discussed illegal immigration and troop withdrawal in Iraq. He said he believed the immigration issue is a national security issue and comprehensive immigration reform, which includes identifying the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country, would address that.

“I think from a practical point of view, we have to do what’s in our best interest and identify those that are here,” he said.

State Rep. Jose Campos II, D-Santa Rosa, asked Reyes how the national deficit would affect the build up of special operations forces.

Reyes said Obama’s proposal to withdraw troops in Iraq would free up funds build up special operations forces.

“The figure that we’ve heard is we’ll probably be able to draw down to 50,000 troops (who will) stay there to support Iraqis, to make sure their independence is viable.”

Reyes also said he would work to help families moving to Cannon from bases in Florida and Nevada who are dealing with selling their homes during a slow housing market.

“We’re looking at another stimulus package that we’re going to vote on in the first few months of the next congress (to help military families trying to sell their homes, which were devalued because of the economy),” he said.