We're probably safePosted Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 8:44 AM
The Pentagon last week announced a series of proposed cuts for the military that could lead to another round of Base Realignment and Closure Commissions.
Details are still sketchy, but overall, the Air Force will lose 10,000 airmen in the next fiscal year, and over the next five years will eliminate six tactical air squadrons, probably most from the F-16 fleet. The F-35 procurement program also will be slowed down considerably. The Army and Navy also will face deep cuts, especially in ground forces (Army troops and Marines). Our sources tell us many -- but not all -- of the bases that DoD will look at cutting will be overseas, and in fact, two Army brigades now stationed there will be removed and replaced with U.S.-based brigades that will rotate in and out of Europe, where we suspect most of the cuts will be made. But there probably will be some bases cut at home. At first blush, we would suggest Mountain Home Air Force Base will not be on any lists. We could be wrong, but the base is well positioned for the future. First, we have the training range, one of the best in the country. Second, we are the home of a foreign squadron, the 428th Fighter Squadron "Buccaneers" of the Republic of Singapore, who are here as part of a long-term treaty arrangement. Third, we are the preferred location to base a second foreign-national squadron, that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In fact, after trying so hard (and unsuccessfully) to obtain some F-35 squadrons, we may actually see F-15SAs out here long before anyone else in the county gets any F-35s, which has been a troubled program in development. All this doesn't mean we shouldn't keep our antennae up about any BRAC that should come along, but we're in good shape to avoid being on any list, so people shouldn't panic. Overall, things look pretty good in the long run for both the base and the city. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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We're probably safe
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The people who make these decisions should be put in a HOME!....where they can't hurt themselves!
The only bases that should be closed are ALL of the overseas bases....where, via our Constitution (there's that "repulsive" word again, eh?)....we have NO OBLIGATION TO BE!
Let the rest of the world fend for itself and fund their OWN infrastructure.
No WAY Mountain Home would make the "closure list"-----not NOW----not with the Saudi's on the way......we CATER to THEM!
Kelly Everitt: I've never seen you post a comment on your blog but I'll still address you in hopes of getting an answers.
I think you are correct in thinking that MHAFB is safe from the next round of BRAC. But for the sake of argument lets assume the military said, "shut down Mountain Home AFB by the end of 2014".
What would the City of Mountain Home look like in 2015 and beyond?
TB - I don't believe he has ever commented here. Not sure if he even checks the posts.
It would be a nice quiet little town again, Bondy.
WE have had oppertunity to be independent of the base we have not done so.The infastructure to do that for some reason seems to elude us and that is a shame because it would only enchance our town.I have called this home since 1972 and have always stated we have to many eggs in one basket,it needs to change.
It would be in our best intrest if we could get back to 5,200-5,400 people in uniform here.IT would also be in our best intrest if we could get some form of industry prefferable manufacturing ......... my opinion.
Not going to get into the saudi'S.....HERE
Nice and quiet...you know, like it is when nobody's home. Or, kinda like Glenn's Ferry, without all the job opportunities an' stuff.
I used to commute to Boise everyday. It's no big deal. We don't need to grow into another "Meridian," just so we can have a thousand more jobs on our DOORSTEP........along with more people, more taxes, more gangs, more crime and the smog & emissions testing, just for STARTERS.
MY opinion.
.......think we're being levied NOW??............
Hate to say it, but you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Mountain Home is never going to be a thriving metropolis (and I'm great with that) for a lot of reasons ranging from our geographical location to our elected city officials. Our little town NEEDS that base for its survival. Got to agree with junkyard dog here. Would hate to see this town dry up and blow away, and it most likely would without the base influence.
Not to be snide, argumentative or insulting. No one wants their ox gored.
But that should only be natural, shouldn't it Roy?
Could be. But most definitely why spending is out of control. Too many ox's, not enough money.
And there WON'T be........until we replace the THIEVES back there with people who DO know that their jobs are to REPRESENT us-----not REGULATE us.
YOU wouldn't just give all of your money and other possessions away to just "whoever", would ya Roy? Of course not.
But your government doesn't seem to have any problems doing that......
-------of course, they aren't using THEIR money............they're using OURS. There's nothing coming out of THEIR pockets!
And we'e obviously just FINE with that......
.....according to the last several elections anyway. We keep givin' 'em back their JOBS, while we bicker with EACH OTHER.....rather than join in a united cause to THROW THE BUMS OUT!