Criteria announced for proposed military base closures

(Washington-AP) -- The Pentagon has published final criteria for closing military bases. <br><br>The criteria are the same as an earlier version, and some congressional Democrats are complaining that local

Friday, February 13th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Washington-AP) -- The Pentagon has published final criteria for closing military bases.

The criteria are the same as an earlier version, and some congressional Democrats are complaining that local officials' suggestions were ignored.

The criteria give priority to ``military value,'' including operational readiness and condition of facilities. The effect on local communities and the environment is considered next.

Officials across the country, including from Oklahoma, sent letters to try to protect their bases in the next round of closures, in 2005.

Oklahoma's military installations are Tinker Air Force Base in the Oklahoma City area; Fort Sill Army post in Lawton; the U-S Army Ammunition Depot in McAlester; Vance Air Force Base in Enid and Altus Air Force Base in Altus.