Military Base Closures

Book excerpt: Approximately 13 years ago, in December 1988, the first military base closure commission recommended the closing and realignment of 145 US domestic bases and facilities. This action was the consequence of the Department of Defense's broad reevaluation of its mission in conjunction with the weakening and ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union. There was little need, according to the Pentagon, to continue to retain the vast Cold War-era infrastructure. Funds saved from closing down under-utilised bases, DOD further noted, could be used to enhance development of new weapons and improved readiness. Three additional rounds followed the 1988 round of infrastructure reductions in 1991, 1993, and 1995. Since then, no further rounds of base closures and realignments have been authorised by Congress, despite repeated requests from the Department of Defense in recent years for two additional rounds. The reasons for congressional resistance are two-fold. First, there is concern over a likely backlash from constituents living in or near military installations. Second, many Members of Congress remain wary about a repetition of the perceived political intrusion by the Clinton Administration that occurred in regard to the 1995 recommendations to close Kelly and McClellan air force bases. This book reveals the tension in the military facilities that may yet again be up for closure. Also discussed are the issues members of Congress feel need be answered before conducting a new round of base closures, when the national security environment is uncertain.