The news of possible closings and severe cutbacks of Ports-mouth Naval Shipyard and Brunswick Naval Air Station was a shock to us all. Not only those in southern Maine, but us in northern Maine will also feel these cuts – and we know something of the loss of military bases. The whole Northeast will be affected.

In Massachusetts: Edwards, Westover, Fort Devens – all closed or seriously reduced.

In New Hampshire: Pease Air Force Base – closed.

In Maine: Loring AFB, Presque Isle AFB, Dow AFB, Howard Mountain Air Force Radar Station and Cutler Naval Radio Station – all gone.

Not only are they closing Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, but are radically cutting back Brunswick Naval Air Station. In addition to the loss of nearly 7,000 jobs, now they are talking of moving all the aircraft to Jacksonville, Fla.

Who is making these decisions? This leaves the most populated corner of the nation defenseless.

We deeply appreciate the efforts of Reps. Tom Allen, Mike Michaud and our two senators to reverse this ill-conceived notion. We will have to fight hard to assist them in the coming months until September.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld talks of saving thousands by these base closings, but says nothing about the billions President Bush is pouring into the Iraq war, that no one wanted except him.

Ray E. Hanscom

Marshfield