playground for fun-seeking military VIPs seems set to detonate a political firestorm.

The base was painted by PrimeTime Live as a "Club Med'' -- with military brass soaking up the sun and golfing at the taxpayer's expense.

And it seems likely to trigger calls for the St. David's station to be closed.

Last night American Congresswoman Pam Schroeder delivered a chilling warning -- before the programme aired.

She threatened to put pressure on Defence Secretary Dick Cheney to sound the death knell for the base.

"If the Navy itself acknowledges that NAS Bermuda serves no military purpose, the Secretary should put it on the base closure list.

"The US has far too many overseas military bases, we can't afford to keep unneeded ones open.'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan last night declined to comment on the programme's devastating catalogue of allegations.

It was up to the US Government -- which owned the base and will spend $38 million on its upkeep this year -- to respond to PrimeTime, he said.

But Sir John strongly defended the post-Cold War role of the base.

It provided the first emergency landing place for the space shuttle, he claimed.

Sir John also admitted the enormous impact the USNAS had on Bermuda's balance of payments -- in 1987 a report stated the US and Canadian bases funnelled $30 million into the Island.

Base's Commanding officer Capt. Jim Arnold declined to make a snap response to the programme, which draws audiences of over nine million US households.

In last night's programme on ZFB Channel 7, ABC newsman Mr. Sam Donaldson blew the cover on an alleged catalogue of abuse of time and money at the base.

The two whistle-blowers were naval officers -- one of whom was later fired, and recommended for psychiatric examination.

Personnel at the base were engaged on "Operation Paradise'' -- starkly contrasting with "Operation Restore Hope'' to help starving Somalians, Mr.

Donaldson jibed.

The station was depicted as a useless Cold War military relic on sunshine paradise.

There were no warships or planes assigned to it -- just a tug boat.

"This base appears to be functioning now largely to help the top brass enjoy themselves,'' said Mr. Donaldson.

He added: "The base's mission, like Bermuda itself, is wrapped in an air of mystery.'' Senior Chief Petty Officer George Randy Taylor and Petty Officer Second Class Tom Coggins were both introduced as the whistle-blowers.

Mr. Donaldson said they had blown the cover on what they believe was an "abuse of rank and privelege.'' Until last month, Chief Taylor was in charge of the Base's 80-member Military Police unit.

He told PrimeTime of the alleged abuse: "This is wrong. We cannot do this.'' The base was described as a play ground for senior military and civilian personnel.

Chief Taylor claimed senior officers enjoyed vacations on the cheap at the station, many with wives and girlfriends.

Mr. Donaldson agreed there was no doubt the Base played a crucial role during the Cold War.

But now its main purpose was to operate the air traffic control and tower for Bermuda's Government -- which takes the lion's share of the landing fees, he mocked.

Any decision to close the Base would be a political one, not a military one, a top admiral claimed.

"In the meantime the military brass are living it up, thanks to this Base's existence,'' said Mr. Donaldson.

In the past 18 months alone, at least 60 admirals and generals, on active duty or retired, visited the Base, according to a log book seen by PrimeTime, he added.

Fifty-nine captains and colonels, many ferried over on military aircraft, also visited.

One of those who came was Rear Admiral Kevin Delaney, inspector general of the Atlantic fleet.

"The VIPs stay in two guest apartments located in this multi-million dollar mansion called Longbird where Capt. Arnold lives or they stay in this guest house,'' said Mr. Donaldson.

The guest house, boasting a superb patio overlooking the harbour, had been redecorated this year at a cost of over $53,000.

Chief Taylor and Petty Officer Coggan say "your tax dollars help roll out the welcome map'' to military VIPs, Mr. Donaldson said.

And the pair allege military vehicles are used to ferry the VIPs to golf courses, shops and restaurants -- flouting the law.

Mr. Donaldson said Chief Taylor was recently fired as head of the Police unit for alleged insubordination, and recommended for psychiatric examination.

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