Base Closings Around the Country
Dozens of bases, each interwoven into local economies, are on the cutting block
Another round of military base closings and realignments is on tap in 2014 or 2015 -- the sixth since the Pentagon began axing installations built during the Cold War. More than 130 major facilities were shuttered in the first five rounds, the last of which occurred in 2005. The next round will likely slash several dozen facilities around the country.
SEE ALSO: KNIGHT KIPLINGER: D.C.'s Economy Is Out of Touch
The Pentagon says more closings are necessary to cut excess capacity and save money. But bases are an important piece of local economies, providing many direct and indirect jobs. The prospect of more base closings unnerves members of Congress, who are often cheerleaders for home-state military bases and the federal money that comes with them. They're not eager to appoint a base closing commission just yet, but in a year or so, pressure from the Pentagon will force them to do so.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Base closings have a mixed impact on communities. Some facilities are successfully converted to thriving civilian uses. In Alameda, Calif., for example, where aircraft were once overhauled at the Alameda Naval Air Station, Hollywood movie studios are shooting films and start-up companies are working to bring electric cars and other new technologies to market. Other closed bases are not so successful.
After consulting with sources on Capitol Hill and elsewhere, we've identified bases that are sure to be eyed for closing or realignments once the base commission gets rolling. They are:
Ft. Irwin
Location: San Bernardino County, Calif.
Population: 5,523 active-duty; 6,632 family members; 1,105 civilians
Founded: 1961
Size: 7 sq. miles
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $600 million
The base serves as a national Army training center, focusing on the battalion task force and the brigade levels of the service. If it is reduced in size in a base closing round, operations would be transferred to West Coast bases, most likely in California or Oregon.
Ft. Benning
Location: near Columbus, Ga.
Population: 33,000 active-duty; 53,808 family members; 6,824 civilians
Founded: 1918
Size: 182,000 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $6.1 billion
Ft. Benning is a central training ground for Army soldiers, providing recruits and veteran service personnel with training and support for overseas operations. While an entire closure of this base is unlikely, several parts may be trimmed or transferred.
New London Naval Submarine Base
Location: near Groton, Conn.
Population: 6,770 active-duty; 12,140 family members; 1,179 civilians
Founded: 1916
Size: 680 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $4.5 billion
Often called the home of the submarine force, the New London Navy base is among the largest of all Navy bases. Officers at this base train nearly every submariner in the Navy. A defense base closing commission will consider options to transfer parts of the base to other bases, including in Norfolk and Newport News, Va.
Ft. Riley
Location: northeastern Kansas
Population: 10,369 active-duty; 12,020 family members; 3,972 civilians
Founded: 1853
Size: 100,671 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $2 billion
Ft. Riley is home to the Army's 1st Infantry Division and serves as a central stationing ground for active-duty soldiers, training and Army Special Forces. While the base is legendary in Army history for its long service, it may be split up or pared back, with some of its operations transferred to Army bases in the western U.S.
Ft. Sill
Location: Lawton, Okla.
Population: 10,214 active-duty; 36,513 family members; 7,208 civilians
Founded: 1869
Size: 94,000 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $1.9 billion
Ft. Sill is the main Army base charged with field artillery, air defense artillery and electronic warfare training. Some of its operations could be assumed by East Coast bases and facilities that provide similar training.
Barksdale Air Force Base
Location: Bossier City, La.
Population: 5,372 active-duty; 1,534 reservists; 7,125 family members; 1,288 civilians
Founded: 1932
Size: 22,000 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $753.8 million
Barksdale is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing, the largest bomb wing in the Air Force's Global Strike Command. It is on a constant ready signal to send military aircraft overseas. Other bases, including in Montana and Virginia, could take over some of its operations if the base is trimmed or shut.
Ft. Leonard Wood
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Population: 5,408 active-duty; 12,183 family members; 2,716 civilians
Founded: 1941
Size: 97.6 sq. miles
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $3 billion
Ft. Leonard Wood specializes in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapon schooling. It often does joint work with the Department of Homeland Security. An entire closure of this large base is unlikely, but a realignment of several divisions is possible. Services it provides may be picked up by bases on the Gulf Coast that do some of the same work.
Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station
Location: Havelock, N. C.
Population: 8,069 active-duty; 27,132 family members; 6,040 civilians
Founded: 1941
Size: 8,000 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $2 billion
The Cherry Point air base houses Marine Transport Squadron 1, which trains search-and-rescue units used worldwide by the U.S. and allies, including Great Britain, Canada and Australia. It also serves as a training center for operators of military radars and satellites.
Eglin Air Force Base
Location: Okaloosa County, Fla.
Population: 8,249 active-duty; 1,321 reservists; 21,500 family members; 5,180 civilians
Founded: 1935
Size: 463,128 acres
Regional economic cost of base closing (first year): $1.4 billion
Eglin is home to the Air Force's Air Armament Center, a vital division that tests and distributes air combat weapons for the entire service. The base also works with contractors in developing, testing and evaluating air armament, navigation and guidance systems. Some of the work it does could be transferred to bases in the Northwest, including in Montana and Idaho.
-
IRS Will Tax Your ‘Walz Check’ Minnesota Rebate: What To Know
State Rebates Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz used some choice words to describe the IRS decision to tax Minnesota 2023 rebate checks.
By Kelley R. Taylor Published
-
What Is Quantitative Easing?
Quantitative easing is one strategy the Federal Reserve uses to stimulate the economy. Here's how it works.
By Will Ashworth Published
-
As Mortgage Rates Rise, Renting Is Now Cheaper Than Buying for Many: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter A jump in mortgage rates has caused housing affordability to slump and priced many first-time home buyers out of the market.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
As Cable Companies Move into Mobile, Customers Benefit: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter The new cable bundle — home internet and mobile — is gaining steam. And the competition means good news for consumers.
By John Miley Published
-
New Voice Cloning Scam Has Regulators Scrambling for Solutions: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter As fraudsters add voice cloning technology to their arsenal of deception, regulators are playing catch-up.
By John Miley Published
-
Small Businesses Hit Extra Hard by Rising Interest Rates: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter On average, small business owners are paying interest rates in the range of 9.1%, per the NFIB.
By David Payne Published
-
The Battle for Net Neutrality Rules Rages On: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Advocates remain hopeful new net neutrality rules will survive, while the telecom industry and business groups seek to prevent FCC action.
By John Miley Published
-
Autonomous Trucks Are Coming to a Road Near You: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter What does the rollout of autonomous trucks and cars mean for the commercial sector?
By David Payne Published
-
Lawmakers Crackdown on Pharmacy Benefit Managers: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter A crackdown on pharmacy benefit managers on drug costs might help Congress forget their differences.
By Matthew Housiaux Published
-
Work Email Phishing Scams on the Rise: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Phishing scam emails continue to plague companies despite utilizing powerful email security tools.
By John Miley Published