"I am outraged that the Department of Defense has recommended closing the Limestone Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). I intend to fight this decision and will do all I can to see that it is reconsidered.
"The highly skilled and motivated employees, combined with the latest technology, make DFAS Limestone a model operation for the Department of Defense. The Loring workforce provides premier financial services to its customers. The impact of the Loring operation reaches far beyond Maine. The Limestone Field Organization serves customers in a geographical area spanning 11 time zones, including 38 Air Force bases and 34 Air National Guard units, reaching across 22 states, two foreign countries, and southwest Asia. DFAS Limestone is a vital contributor to ensuring our troops are paid on time and serve with exemplary professionalism.
"When the former Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller, Dov Zakheim, toured the Limestone facility in June 2003, he correctly noted that, "They [DFAS Loring] have a reputation in DFAS, a good one. We are looking to bring people back from [DFAS centers] in Europe, and I see a good quality of work here. We think we can be more efficient doing the work here."
"After the devastating and ill-advised closure of Loring Air Force base during the round of BRAC in 1991, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (through the Department of Defense) made a commitment to help facilitate economic recovery in the Loring area and activated this facility in 1995. It doesn't make sense to close such an efficient operation that saves the taxpayer money and contributes to our defense mission by providing support services to our men and women in uniform."
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