Bellows Demonstration on Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_sw2NsUKLI&feature=player_embedded---------------------------A proposed resolution claims the Air Force no longer needs 400 acresand should give it upBy Kaylee NoborikawaPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 12, 2009Some Waimanalo residents are calling for the U.S. Air Force to returnabout 400 acres from Bellows Air Force Station because the land isbeing used for recreation rather than critical military purposes."I'm asking the neighborhood board to adopt a resolution which asksfor the return (of the land), and I expect the neighborhood board totransfer that resolution to Congress, our senators, and PresidentObama," said Joseph Ryan, a former member of the WaimanaloNeighborhood Board and a Waimanalo resident since the 1960s.Ryan drafted the resolution after receiving an environmentalassessment in March by the U.S. Air Force which wants to construct atBellows 48 vacation rentals, a nine-hole disc golf course, acommunity activity center, a car wash, a water park, a resort pool,and a nine-hole par-3 golf course.Ryan said his action is not related to the military's closing ofBellows to the public for a month recently. The popular beach andcamping area was closed because of misuse and vandalism, militaryofficials had said. It was reopened over the July 4th weekend.According to Ryan, the state should get the land, which wasappropriated by President Woodrow Wilson in 1917, since the militaryis no longer using it for its original military purpose.A total of 1,510 acres of ceded land was appropriated in thepresidential executive order, but in 1999, about 1,100 acres weretransferred to the U.S. Marine Corps, according to the Corps."When the Air Force decided by its EA to use the base forrecreational services, they made the decision that this is no longercritical defense purposes. Recreation is a collateral purpose. Itdoesn't support the primary mission," said Ryan.The military responded by saying that although the primary mission isrecreation, the Armed Forces continue to train on the land. Hickam's15th Security Forces Squadron, U.S. Marine Corps security forces, andthe Honolulu Police Department use Bellows for training, includingbuilding clearing, hostage negotiation training, and robbery response."Bellows continues to fill key roles in troop recreation andtraining," said Capt. Christy Stravolo of the Pacific Air ForcesPublic Affairs. "One of the key priorities of the Air Force Chief ofStaff is airman morale and readiness. Bellows contributes to thispriority every day."The Bellows Air Force Station offers cabins, camping sites, and otherrecreational activities for military retirees, soldiers in thereserve/guard, active military members, and U.S. Department ofDefense civilians. According to Stravolo, 500,000 visitors useBellows' facilities every year."Troops can't afford the expensive commercial establishments, sohere's a chance they have to relax with their families at a veryreasonable price. The fees they charge are quite a bit less thanWaikiki," said Gen. Robert Lee.Lee is in charge of the Army National Guard at Bellows and trainsnewly promoted sergeants on unit tactics."I think we can work it out with the community. We allow theWaimanalo Neighborhood Board to use our facility for their meetings;I believe we can work out a good solution," Lee said.MEETINGThe Waimanalo Neighborhood Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow atWaimanalo Public Library to discuss the recreational use of land atBellows Air Force Station. Public testimony is welcome.Source: http://www.starbull etin.com/ news/20090712_Board_ asked_to_ seek_Bellows_ land.html__._,_.___
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