Albuquerque Journal March 29, 2002
Tighter Nuclear Security Sought
By Miguel Navrot
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., is pushing for $11 million in federal construction money to improve security at the military's premier underground nuclear weapon storage depot inside Kirtland Air Force Base.
Bingaman said improvements are needed for Kirtland's Underground Munitions Maintenance Storage Complex as an anti-terrorism measure.
The storage depot is widely believed to house nuclear warheads. For their part, Kirtland and other military officials don't confirm or deny the nature of munitions kept inside. Bingaman's request comes as lawmakers begin the military appropriation process. The work at the site is one of nine projects totaling $89.2 million for Kirtland sought by Bingaman, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
If approved, construction would incorporate "camouflage, concealment and deception methodologies" into the current structure, according to a Bingaman news release. Also, the proposed work calls for enhanced multiple levels of security.
Taking care of the warheads is the responsibility of Kirtland's 898th Munitions Squadron.
Base officials wouldn't describe what specific kind of work is needed or if there have been any changes with staffing at the depot, instead saying in a statement that Pentagon and Air Force officials "recognized the need for added security at installations worldwide" since Sept. 11.
In addition, the upgrades "are due to a nationwide movement to strengthen homeland defense" that will benefit the security of all Kirtland facilities.
During the past decade, Kirtland has housed one of the highest concentrations of nuclear warheads in the nation at the depot, according to the Washington, D.C.,-based environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council. Estimates for the number of warheads there have varied from 2,000 to nearly 3,000 over the past five years, according to the group.
Robert S. Norris, a nuclear weapons expert with the environmental group, said in an interview that Kirtland is probably holding about 2,000 warheads now. Norris also called Kirtland's depot "among the more highly secure ones in the United States ... or in the world."
"Nevertheless, I suppose there is always room for improvement," Norris said.
The request of $11 million is a relatively small amount, Norris added.
"It is probably money well-spent and deserving of a fresh look at how secure that facility is," he said.
According to the defense analysis group Globalsecurity.org, the depot "stores, maintains, modifies and ships weapons and components to combat or storage organizations" within the military and the Energy Department.
Many of the warheads are taken from Kirtland to the Energy Department's Pantex Plant near Amarillo for disassembly and other modifications.
Among Bingaman's other requests is a $2.5 million appeal to relocate the Truman Gate near the San Mateo and Gibson intersection, also needed to increase security.
Both Sens. Bingaman and Pete Domenici, R-N.M., are asking for $8.4 million for new visitors quarters at Kirtland.
Bingaman spokeswoman Jude McCartin said Kirtland spends about $3 million a year putting up nearly 100 visitors daily in city hotels. The new 96-room quarters could pay for itself in a few years, McCartin said.
Copyright 2002 Albuquerque Journal
