McChord, Fort Lewis work on merger details

[unhappycamper]

McChord, Fort Lewis work on merger details
By Amy Doolittle - Special to the Times
Posted : Monday Feb 11, 2008 7:18:15 EST

“Just because we’re next door does not mean that we have an awful lot of interaction,” said Col. Anne Sullivan, chief of public affairs for the 446th Airlift Wing. “I’ve been here for 15 years, and I’ve been to a few times.”

McChord is one of 26 military installations tagged for joint basing under recommendations from the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment Commission. When the process is complete, McChord will be part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which will be run by one commander under standards streamlined between the services. The plan is for both bases to share many programs, such as child care and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Final decisions on the nuts and bolts of the realignment are still awaiting approval from the Pentagon. Until that direction comes, officials here say they are keeping themselves busy nurturing cross-base relationships and mulling decisions on whether McChord or Lewis will be in charge of the never-ending stream of programs.

“It’s too preliminary to give any details on who will take the lead on what,” said John Austin, who leads the Fort Lewis Army Garrison plans, analysis and integration office. “We meet every Thursday to talk about how we go forward.”

The potential for an explosive situation exists, Sullivan said.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_joint_basing_080210w/



uhc comment: "the never-ending stream of programs"?? I sure would like to hear about the never-ending stream of programs.