The Sun
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Moffett may lose rescue wing--and more money

By Natasha Collins

NASA Ames may soon be left managing an airfield with very few planes if the Navy's rescue wing leaves the base as scheduled.

A proposal is before the secretary of defense to move VP91, a search-and-rescue wing, out of Moffett Field to another naval facility by the year 2000. Where the 110 Navy personnel will be moving will not be determined until the recommendation is approved.

The rescue unit assists in emergency rescues, searches for submarines during wartime and participates in community events.

"The loss of VP91 is a big issue for the Bay Area because we will be losing a rescue unit who would assist the community if there was an earthquake or natural disaster," said Karen Davis, assistant to Sunnyvale's city manager.

The Navy has recommended moving VP91 to save more than $200,000 a year on rent. The unit currently occupies Hanger Three at Moffett Field.

Approximately 14 Navy planes are stored, maintained and used by VP91. If the secretary of defense approves the Navy's recommendation, only three Navy planes will remain at Moffett.

Because there will be fewer planes, maintenance crews are being restructured and would probably be leaving Moffett soon after VP91.

Sunnyvale city officials are concerned that the removal of VP91 may produce a domino effect, spurring more Navy units to leave the area. If so, NASA, which maintains and operates the airfield, could face losing more than $220,000 a year.

NASA already runs the airfield at a $3.5 million annual loss and is looking for ways to make up the difference. Renting parts of the base to air cargo companies, an air and space museum, a park with walking trails and an industrial center have all been proposed as solutions to NASA's deficit problem.

The city is concerned that air cargo companies will use the airfield and increase the number of flights in and out of the airfield. The city is trying to find other alternatives to air cargo.

"We are going to have to find ways to make running the airfield more cost-effective. We must find a way for NASA to increase revenues at Moffett," Davis said. "With VP91 leaving we now have a bigger issue to deal with. Now is the time for us to come up with a plan for Moffett Field. "

Because a final decision on whether VP91 will or will not be leaving the base has not been made, NASA has not been looking for tenants to occupy Hanger Three.

"We like our current tenants, and the loss of a tenant is not something we want," NASA spokesman Donald James said. "We have been here for 50 years, and we plan on maintaining Moffett as a federal airfield. We will continue to look for tenants who will have use for the airfield."

A final decision is expected by February.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, November 5, 1997.
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