Pentagon And Congress Mull Fate Of Overseas Installations

Congress and the Pentagon are reportedly considering the number of USAF bases it operates in Europe and Asia, and its not with an eye towards expanding the U.S. presence overseas.

A Congressionaly-appointed task force has already made its recommendation, and a Pentagon advisory board is studying "potential cost savings" and military impact in the region. The Air Force Times reports that a board member who agreed to speak anonymously said "We are looking at [if we can afford overseas bases]."

The study follows an order from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to find $102 billion in savings over the next five years. Defense News reports that the U.S. could save as much as $80 billion by cutting military presence in Asia and Europe by about 33 percent.

The task force report recommended that the Air Force cut a fighter wing and about 10,000 airmen. Overall, as many as 50,000 service personnel would be cut if the plan went forward.

Task force member Benjamin Freidman told Defense News that "Our allies can afford to defend themselves. The Cold War is over." He says it is time for our allies to "carry the burden" of their own defense.

FMI www.dod.gov