Towns affected by the BRAC Base Realignment and Closings

May 11, 2005 : 2:37 am ET

GUARD UP: State officials are challenging Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's view that he can close Army and Air National Guard facilities without the consent of the states in which they are located.

ON WATCH: The Pentagon's list of military bases earmarked for closing is being released on Friday. One state, Illinois, is threatening to go to court to stop Rumsfeld from shutting down either of its two Guard installations.

SAVING DOLLARS: Closing and downsizing some domestic bases would save the government billions of dollars a year. Losing a base, though, could be a blow to a community's economy.