JC Watts mentioned as possible candidate for base-closure panel

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Senator Jim Inhofe says former Congressman JC Watts is being mentioned as a candidate for the federal military Base Realignment and Closure commission. <br/><br/>Senator Jim Inhofe

Thursday, October 21st 2004, 11:35 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Senator Jim Inhofe says former Congressman JC Watts is being mentioned as a candidate for the federal military Base Realignment and Closure commission.

Senator Jim Inhofe says there is an effort to put Watts on the committee that will recommend which military installations to close or realign.

Watts' spokeswoman Pamela Mantis says Watts hasn't taken part in any formal discussions regarding an appointment.

The Department of Defense says the president will consult with the U-S House and Senate leaders to appoint two members each. The president will then consult with minority leaders in the House and Senate to appoint one member each.

The BRAC committee is to be appointed early next year and submit its recommendations on base closings or realignments by next September.

Oklahoma has five military installations with Air Force bases at Oklahoma City, Enid and Altus, an ammunition plant in McAlester and Fort Sill in Lawton.