GRAND FORKS - The Grand Forks Air Force Base's proximity to the Canadian border should help it during the next round of military base closings, a member of the House Armed Services Committee says.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., said Monday during an appearance in Grand Forks that the war on terror has made border security a big issue, and the Grand Forks base can play a big role.

"The future is very clear …and that is homeland security, border security," he said.

Wilson, who has a military base in his home district, was in Grand Forks to campaign for House Republican candidate Duane Sand. Sand is running against incumbent Democrat Earl Pomeroy.

The nation's military has gone through four rounds of base closings since the late 1980s. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld plans for more closures next year.