Hawaii base closure; GAO reports

In major news today, the Star Bulletin reported that the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission wants to add Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to the Dept. of Defense's (DOD) base closure list. A shutdown would affect 4200 civilian and 800 military workers and the $1 billion added to Hawaii's economy annually. Next comes a July 19 meeting where seven of nine commissioners would have to vote to amend the base closure list that was released on May 13.

As required by law, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) today issued a report on DOD's selection process for 2005 base closures. BRAC's goals are: (1) reducing excess infrastructure and producing savings, (2) furthering transformation, and (3) fostering jointness. This is the latest in GAO's list of Base Realignment and Closure Reports. Earlier reports this year cover prior and current BRAC rounds and give an updated status. Besides the full reports, abstracts and highlights are available.

Base Realignment and Closure Reports
(available from the GAO)