Pentagon Hasn't Picked Bases to Close

October 14, 2003, 6:09 PM EDT


WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon will take a creative approach to shrinking its military base structure, but it has not yet set targets for the number of bases to be closed, a senior official said Tuesday.

Larry Di Rita, chief spokesman for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, said the secretary has not instructed his staff to reduce the base structure by any specific percentage, although Rumsfeld often has said studies show a 20 percent to 25 percent surplus of base capacity.

Di Rita disputed a news report Tuesday that Rumsfeld plans to close at least 100 bases.

"Nobody's looking at numbers of bases," he said. "We're looking at capacity, and there are a lot of different ways you can achieve capacity reductions," other than outright closures.

more..............

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-base-closings,0,1938899.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

"might be mothballed -- but not closed -- so they could be available if needed in the future, he said."

If a military base is mothballed say Fort Bragg NC.... Who would keep it up....Military or contractors....

Convert them to low cost housing, schools, rec facilities, etc.

Whouldn't that be grand? (i know, i know, but a gal can dream can't she?)