As a retired naval officer, I know firsthand that if it weren’t for our hardware and technological edge in submarine warfare we would not have been completely victorious in keeping the Soviet Union at bay during the Cold War era. We knew where their subs were all the time; they didn’t know where ours were any of the time. They didn’t have the luxury of our expertise and technological advances.

If Portsmouth Naval Shipyard were to close, we would lose a premier facility that significantly ensures that we keep our edge. We must not allow Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to close. It is of the utmost national defense interest to retain Portsmouth with its industrial shops and highly skilled craftsmen. If it were to close, the craftsmen go away and away goes our expertise.

I personally visited the naval shipyard in Alameda, Calif., some years after the facility closed. What a travesty. All their industrial shops were mostly unused and their nucleus of craftsmen disappeared into the sunset and we lost a very important national defense asset.

The same holds true for the Naval Air Station in Brunswick. Their squadrons kept Russia at bay and continue to keep other potential adversaries thinking twice. They were instrumental during the Cold War keeping Russia somewhat honest.

If Brunswick were to close, we would lose another “kingpin” in our undersea warfare capability.

Our senators and representatives need to stand firm and save our bases and not close either Portsmouth or Brunswick.

Richard B. Scott, West Paris