A Wrench In the BRAC-works

I've also heard rumblings that the Navy now doesn't want to give up Brunswick but would rather keep it in mothballs.

Jacksonville withdraws effort to lure Oceana jets

By LOUIS HANSEN, The Virginian-Pilot
© October 21, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Faced with mounting opposition to a plan to return Navy jet squadrons to Florida, the mayor of Jacksonville announced Thursday afternoon his city will cease trying to lure operations from Oceana Naval Air Station.

The decision could cripple efforts by a federal base closing panel to move 250 strike fighter jets from Virginia Beach to the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station.

“The feedback I’ve received in recent weeks makes it clear that the community does not want the master jet base to return, and I respect that,” Mayor John Peyton said in a statement. Peyton said the idea was worth pursuing, but, “at the end of the day, the quality of life for residents of the Westside is the most important thing.”