BRUNSWICK (AP) – The Pentagon has a clear picture of Brunswick Naval Air Station’s homeland defense capabilities and recognizes the importance of its proposed joint reserve center, an assistant secretary of defense said Monday.

“We need to ensure that when we go to war, it’s not as individual components but as a nation. Because we fight as a team, we should train as a team,” said Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense.

McHale accompanied Gov. John Baldacci, members of Maine’s congressional delegation, and officials from the Maine National Guard, Air National Guard and Marine Reserves during Monday’s visit to Brunswick and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

While McHale did not discuss what military installations could survive this round of cuts, he said the P-3 Orions flown from Brunswick “clearly have importance in the homeland defense mission.” He stressed, however, that his intent on visiting the base was to gather information for Pentagon officials.

Brunswick and the Navy’s shipyard in Kittery face possible closure this year.

McHale’s visit came just days before President Bush is scheduled to announce the remaining members of a nine-member independent commission charged with reviewing a list of U.S. military base closures the Pentagon must propose by May.

During McHale’s visit, military officials touted the multitude of uses for a proposed Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center. Adjutant General John Libby, commander of the Maine National Guard, said construction of the nearly $42 million building could begin in 2008.

The center has been a major component of community arguments to save the base, said Rick Tetrev, spokesman for the Brunswick Naval Air Station Task Force, which is working to save the base.

Tetrev said that having a ranking Pentagon officials acknowledge the benefit the base serves if defending the homeland is powerful.

“Hopefully he’ll take that message back to Washington,” Tetrev said.