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

摘要

The closure and realignment of domestic military bases are previewed from anhistorical, 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.