Topeka ? The state is “in great shape” when it comes to protecting its military installations from the next round of base closings, Sen. Pat Roberts said Wednesday.

“I think Kansas is in great shape,” Roberts told reporters. “We have a good story to tell.”

The Department of Defense is scheduled to announce base closings or realignments in late 2005.

The Kansas Republican did not take issue with the criteria published recently by the Defense Department for determining which bases will be closed or restructured. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said last week those criteria did not place enough emphasis on a base’s importance to the economy of its community or state.

State and military officials estimate the economic impact of the installations and reserve units in Kansas at more than $2 billion a year, including more than $800 million alone from Fort Riley.

In December, a Pentagon official and a consultant said Forbes Field, located south of Topeka and home to the Kansas National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing, could be expendable because McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita also is a major air refueling site.

But Roberts said keeping Forbes open represented “a very positive challenge.”

“I think we can add missions,” he said.

He also said Forbes’ chances would be improved if the Army decided to move the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters back to Fort Riley from Germany. He said a decision on moving the division’s headquarters was not likely until later this year.

Roberts made his remarks at a downtown news conference, where he was honored by Topeka officials. Later, he was at the Statehouse, where it was Armed Forces Appreciation Day.

Events included displays by representatives from each military installation in Kansas and the governor’s commission formed to advocate for the state’s military assets. Outside the Statehouse, soldiers of the Fort Riley Honor Guard were on horseback, representing the post’s cavalry heritage.

During a ceremony in the Senate chamber, Sebelius pinned two stars on Tod Bunting, adjutant general of the Kansas National Guard. She said Bunting’s knowledge of Kansas and national installations would be beneficial during and after the base realignment and closure process.

Sebelius said the ceremony put a sharper focus on the military’s importance and historic links to Kansas. Earlier in the day, she met with Roberts and the installation commanders to discuss the military’s role in Kansas and what steps the state will take to protect those assets.

“I don’t think there’s any question, Kansas is very well-positioned to deal with the challenges of not only explaining today’s missions, but looking at what we’re going to be doing 10 years from now,” she said.

Sebelius said having a statewide organization to advocate for the Army and Air Force installations, including the role of the Kansas National Guard and other branches, would help educate residents of nonmilitary communities.