Fewer Base Closings Anticipated (moved from ATSNN), page 1

The US DoD Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process is nearing its end, and according to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, the number of US military base closings, reductions, and realignments may not be as extensive as was originally anticipated. The reduction has been attributed to the return of personnel previously deployed overseas; more space will be needed domestically.

washingtontimes.com
Far fewer military bases are likely to be closed and realigned than originally foreseen, in part because of the planned shift of tens of thousands of troops from bases in Asia and Europe to the United States, according to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.
Mr. Rumsfeld said surplus base capacity is not as great as earlier estimated -- an assessment that will be comforting to communities hoping to retain bases they rely on for an economic boost.
He had previously said the current round of base closings and realignment -- the first since 1995 -- would result in less shrinkage of base capacity than the 20 to 25 percent figure the Pentagon has cited for the past few years. But he had not previously said it might be less than half that range.

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This is great news for communities that serve as the home for military bases. The economic impact of having a base is usually quite large. As a result, most states have a established a dedicated team of politicians, lobbyists, and various other "experts" to help influence the base closing process.

This latest round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) was initiated by Secretary Rumsfeld in 2002.

Related News Links:
www.defenselink.mil
www.globalsecurity.org