Homestead AFB After Hurricane Andrew -- Whether to Rebuild or Not a Critique on Base Closures and Public Decisionmaking

Abstract

The closure and realignment of domestic military bases are previewed from an historical, legislative, evaluative, and decision-making process contexts. Homestead AFB in the aftermath of its destruction is used as a point of reference and departure. Quantitative data strongly suggests that President Bush's immediate decision to rebuild the base was politically motivated and not militarily justified. Political, economic, social, and military factors converge in the decision to close or leave open military bases. Many bases not deemed vital to our national interests remain open, costing the taxpayer billions of dollars. Local parochial interests, fearful of the adverse economic effects on surrounding communities, inhibit the closure of unneeded bases. The Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1988 injected a decision-making process that removes, but does not eliminate, much of the political impediments to successfully closing or realigning bases. Additional improvements are recommended.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA267368

Entities

People

  • Dennis J. Hubscher Sr

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Base Closures
  • Business Administration
  • Command And Control
  • Environment
  • Financial Management
  • Governments
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Policy
  • Students
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting