McDonnell forms Virginia commission in response to JFCOM closure announcment

Governor Bob McDonnell has always taken Virginia’s historic relationship with the military seriously – and the bombshell announcement of Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) on the chopping block, the governor has issued Executive Order #22, forming the Commission on Military and National Security Facilities.

The commission, which meets first on September 3, is co-chaired by former Reps. Owen Pickett from Hampton Roads and Tom Davis from Northern Virginia. Both Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli also have active roles.

As governor, I will work with leaders from both parties, the private sector, all levels of government and the military to ensure that [military] facilities remain in the Commonwealth for the sake of our national security,” said McDonnell in a statement.

While the panel was devised to advise the administration on matters relating to maintaining and growing military installations and activities in Virginia, there is no mistake that the commission forming now is a response to the recent announcement of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to create cost savings in the Defense Department to pay for other expenditures, such as, oh, the war.

The governor’s statement says:

The Governor has specifically requested that the Commissions initial work plan include subpanels focusing on the recent announcement by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to de-establish the Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) located in Hampton Roads, and his proposal to reduce the contractor workforce supporting the Department of Defense by 10% per year over the next three years. Additionally there are other significant issues requiring long term planning and strategy on a statewide basis upon which the commission will focus.

The subpanel on the Joint Forces Command will consist of individuals most knowledgeable regarding the current functions at JFCOM and the military need for these services. The subpanel will coordinate its work with the efforts currently underway by the local leaders in Hampton Roads and the Congressional Delegation.

The committee’s membership includes:

Chairmen
Former Congressman Tom Davis
Former Congressman Owen Pickett

Membership
Cabinet Members.
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling – Hanover
Jim Cheng – Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Richmond
Terrie Suit – Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness, Virginia Beach

Legislative Members
Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, Arlington
Senator Jeffrey McWaters, Virginia Beach
Delegate John Cosgrove, Chesapeake
Delegate Mark Sickles, Fairfax
Delegate Richard Anderson, Prince William County

Commission Citizen Member appointees:
General John N. Abrams, US Army Retired, Arlington
David L. Bernd, CEO Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk
Lisa Marie Cheney, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, Alexandria
Barry DuVall, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Newport News
Lieutenant General Albert J. Edmonds, US Army Retired, Alexandria
Vice Admiral Hank Giffin, US Navy Retired, Norfolk
Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, President/CEO of the Economic Development Authority, Fairfax County
Major General Patricia P. Hickerson, US Army Retired, Arlington
Lieutenant General Joseph Richard Inge, US Army Retired, Williamsburg
General John Jumper, US Air Force Retired, Burke, VA
Admiral Timothy J. Keating US Navy Retired, Alexandria
General Robert Magnus US Marine Corps Retired, Alexandria
Dario Marquez, Chairman and CEO of MVM Inc, Ashburn
Wick Moorman, President Norfolk Southern, Norfolk
Gary Nakamoto, Chairman of Base Technologies, Inc., Great Falls
General John Harold Tilelli Jr., US Army Retired, Alexandria
Lieutenant General John R. Wood, US Army Retired, Alexandria

Special Advisor to the Commission:
Admiral Harold W. Gehman Jr., US Navy Retired, Virginia Beach

Counsel to the Commission:
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

I wonder if the Commission will find that limited government, even if it might personally impact Virginia, is still for the greater good?

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About the author

JR Hoeft

Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.