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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (134910)	8/29/2005 6:52:30 AM
From: John Carragher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793903

Pentagon's request to shutter two Navy bases in New London, Conn., and Kittery, Maine. i expect the pentagon recommendations were on cost and duplicate or obsolete services.. I believe the commission's thoughts were on jobs in the community and tradition. two of the oldest bases and large number of jobs.

To: LindyBill who wrote (134910)	8/29/2005 12:43:16 PM
From: Neeka	Respond to of 793903

I've been wondering when this was going to happen. Smart move! M Tacoma, WA - Monday, August 29, 2005 Fort Lewis-McChord merger gets OK News Tribune staff and news services Last updated: August 26th, 2005 10:54 AM (PDT) Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a big step closer to reality following the Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s approval of the concept Thursday. The commission endorsed the Pentagon’s plan to put Fort Lewis in charge of some management functions at the Air Force base. Over the next six years, the merger could cut as many as 567 military and civilian jobs at McChord and add up to 230 civilian workers at Fort Lewis. Washington members of Congress had expressed concerns that any merger not interfere with either installation carrying out its mission. In statements Thursday, lawmakers praised a provision in the commission’s vote that gives local commanders greater flexibility in managing the change. The Pentagon, in its proposal in May, envisioned savings through economies of scale, cutting redundant layers of management and placing one authority in charge of land, office space, vehicle fleets and other overhead. Military and civilian officials at Lewis and McChord have formed planning and study groups to begin considering what functions might be merged. “Since this is a new concept, it is difficult to foresee the full implications of the proposal, but the concept has merit and I am encouraged that the commission gave power to the local commanders to have direct input into how the realignment will be implemented,” said U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Tacoma), whose district includes the installations. “The joint-base concept has the potential to bolster efficiency and joint operations, which are critical to a modern-day fighting force,” Smith said in a prepared statement. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Edmonds) agreed. “While there are still questions about how joint-basing will work, I am relieved that the commission recognizes that, at the very least, it is necessary to have local military cooperation between the two bases,” she said in a statement. Wednesday, the commission approved a Pentagon plan to put medical care at McChord under the administrative direction of Madigan Army Medical Center. The Lewis-McChord merger is one of seven major joint-base proposals in the Pentagon’s base closure plan. In all, the Defense Department says the mergers will save taxpayers more than $2.3 billion over 20 years. Observers said it’s still too soon to tell how the merger could affect the thousands of military service and family members who live and work on the installations, or the thousands more retirees who shop and get their medical care there. “It’s so darn early, and so darn nebulous,” said Ken St. Johns of University Place, president of the Washington state Air Force Association. “Frankly, if anyone told you anything specific, I’d be really skeptical.” News Tribune staff writer Michael Gilbert and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Originally published: August 26th, 2005 12:01 AM (PDT thenewstribune.com