(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today announced that the New Orleans area received mixed news in the Secretary of Defense’s recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse will not be adversely affected by the closures, but the Naval Support Activity Base (NSA) in Algiers was recommended for closure.

 “The military in the Greater New Orleans region has long been a backbone of our community, and I’m very disappointed that the Naval Support Activity was listed for closure,” said Vitter. “We knew that Algiers could be a casualty of BRAC, which is why I’m already reaching out to the BRAC Commissioners to have them visit NSA and get a better understanding of its strategic role in supporting the Department of Defense in the ongoing war on terror.”

The NSA employs more than 4,600 people and serves as the headquarters of the U.S. Marine and Naval Reserves. It is also home to more than 40 other commands. The BRAC commission announced today its recommendation that the Navy and Marine assets be realigned and that the base be slated for closure. The recommendation included moving the Marine Reserve headquarters to Belle Chasse, which would mean 1,800 personnel would be moved to this base.

“This is only the first step in a multi-step process, and we’re going to do everything we can to save the NSA presence in Louisiana. I have sent a letter to the BRAC Commissioners, requesting an immediate visit to the base so we have the opportunity to demonstrate the merits of the base and educate them on the Federal City proposal. We’ve already briefed Department of Defense officials on Federal City, but we want to demonstrate this to BRAC Commissioners before any final decisions are made,” said Vitter. “I recently met with the commission chairman Anthony J. Principi, and just today I put in a call to him. I also called a meeting of the Louisiana delegation and local area officials for Monday to discuss the next step in the BRAC process to keep the NSA open and running.”

The Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base at Belle Chasse was not on the BRAC list for closure, but will gain the Marine Reserve headquarters personnel. Over the years, Vitter worked with former Congressman Billy Tauzin to secure military construction funding to address the quality of life concerns of military service members in the area and make significant infrastructure improvements at Belle Chasse.

“We’ve been checking the boxes we need to check in making improvements at Belle Chasse,” said Vitter. “I will work with the Louisiana delegation to use the realignment of military equipment and personnel from across the country as an opportunity to strengthen the base at Belle Chasse and the vital role it plays in maintaining our nation’s defense.”