DoD Proposal Altered Somewhat

Of the 190 DoD recommendations to close or downsize facilities and shift or consolidate work elsewhere, the commission approved 119 with no change and accepted another 45 with amendments, about in line with past practices in similar situations. The commission rejected 13 DoD recommendations in their entirety and significantly modified another 13. Of DoD’s recommended 33 “major” closures, the commission approved 21, recommended realignment for seven, and rejected five (Hawthorne Army Depot, NV; Naval Support Activity, Corona, CA; Submarine Base New London, CT; Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, ME; Ellsworth AFB, SD). In addition, the commission recommended closure, rather than realignment, for Naval Air Station Brunswick, for a total of 22 major closures. Of DoD’s 29 recommended “major” realignments, the commission approved 25, proposed to close rather than realign one (Naval Air Station Brunswick, ME) and rejected three (Maxwell AFB, AL; Portland International Airport Air Guard Station, OR; DFAS Cleveland, OH). In all, it recommended a total of 33 major realignments, including seven installations proposed for closure by DoD.