Pressing to develop Navy land in Maine

Congresswoman courts Air Force Cyber Command

May 4, 2008

KITTERY, Maine - As the Navy explores private development of the former Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prison, US Representative Carol Shea-Porter is pushing to bring the US Air Force's Cyber Command to the long-neglected castle-like structure.

Navy officials have asked private developers to submit proposals in the next two months with a goal of signing a contract in spring 2009. But if the Air Force were to choose the shipyard for its planned Cyber Command center, a government-to-government transfer essentially would trump outside uses, Shea-Porter's staff said.

Ryan McKeon, Shea-Porter's military legislative assistant, said the congresswoman does not want to be an impediment to the private development efforts but believes the prison would be an ideal choice for the center.

"It's a win-win project," said Shea-Porter, a New Hampshire Democrat. "It's a great opportunity for the government and for Portsmouth."

While the Air Force has embarked on a multi-million dollar advertising campaign for a program that's not even authorized yet, it would be nice if someone were to inquire whether the military monitoring the civilian internet is even constitutional.

The Air Force claim in its ads that the Pentagon is being attacked three million times a day seems a bit far fetched. When they then advertise for hackers to come and apply for positions with the new command, their credibility has to be questioned.