Pentagon Looks to Close Bases

[stevedeshazer]

The Pentagon took the first step yesterday in the politically charged process of selecting domestic military bases that it will recommend next year that the White House and Congress approve for closure.

The Defense Department asked commanders of about 425 installations in the United States and its territories and possessions to provide information about their bases for a fifth round of cost-saving but unpopular closings in recent years.

The long process, aimed at saving billions of dollars by eliminating unnecessary installations, will also involve input from states and communities whose economies rely heavily on the bases.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and the Joint Chiefs of Staff say the nation is wasting defense dollars because there is a 25 percent "overcapacity" in domestic bases needed to support the reduced post-Cold War military....

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60198-2004Jan6.html
___________________________________________________________________

We have enough bases in Iraq now, I suppose.

[tlcandie]

1. Yup .. foreign soil here we come!!!!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. How lovely

lets continue to run the military as if this was a business

By the way, given where morale is, I wonder if many troops will be
happy

hey you have orders

But, but, but I bought a house

Tought titi, next ...

[Nihil]

3. And the next step ...?

The Pentagon have reviewed their recent cost reduction exercise
involving the outsourcing of military bases to offshore locations.
A spokesman stated that this was not just successful but had saved
even more than predicted.

"We started by outsourcing the logistics and ancilliary support
functions to private contractors. Next we relocated the majority
of our training facilities to strategic sites around the globe
(including Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, Columbia and Georgia).

"Our final aim will be to outsource the military personnel themselves
in order to concentrate on our core values: top-heavy administration
and weapons production."

Nihil

[cap]

4. no.. this is an effort to concentrate resources

in Republican states and take away resources from Democratic states.

[stevedeshazer]

6. That's what I think, too

Someone loses, and I'll bet it's a Democratic state with significant military presence such as Washington, which already has a shaky economy.

[pscot]

7. We should be so lucky

We could easily spare the Everett home port and Whidbey NAS. Close 'em. Please.

[jpak]

10. Yup (n/t)

n/t

[Zech Marquis]

5. I saw a nes story about this last on the local newscast

Ocean NAS is in Virginia Beach--serious Freeperland!--and not only dd the Navy relocate every single F-14 squadron, but also all but ike 8 out of 10 F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons. The economic benefits are clear to see-- much better streets, more money to attract businesses, etc--at the same, a bunch of million dollar houses are being built right inside the "crash zones" around the base. So when one lady smiled how she was willing to put up with "the sound of freedom" buzzing her brand new mansion, I'd like to see her say that when one of those damn jets have an accident. Navy ighter jets are much louder than the Air Force ones--especially the F-18s, and they're practicing carrier landing approaches day and night! This will be quite interesting to watch--can the Navy and the freeper developers /big home owners reach a compromise or not.

BTW, those overpriced F-22s are appearing over head in the area too :eyes:

[0rganism]

8. This administration has thoroughly embraced Paradox

* The military is understaffed to the point that national guard and reserve troops are deployed overseas, personnel cannot be discharged, and a draft is contemplated.

* The military has too many bases, and must close 425, despite its plans to retain and obtain a greater number of troops.

Of course, if the troops are sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, and GeorgeOnlyKnowsWhoseNext, the problem of local quartering disappears.

[bspence]

9. Didn't Clinton get raped in the press for doing the same thing? n/t