State official concerned another round of base closures could be coming
Letterkenny Army Depot crews repair Patriot missile systems for the Department of Defense. (Photo: Submitted)
(Harrisburg) — A state official says he’s wary about talk of another round of military base closures nationwide.
Even the most prestigious installation in the midstate could be targeted for a move…
The closures are best known as BRAC, after the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission.
Congress has to authorize a new commission, but Brigadier General Frank Sullivan says he’s expecting one within the next two years.
Brigadier General Sullivan says past rounds have cut nearly 19,000 full-time jobs from Pennsylvania military bases.
“The new Congress and administration seems more amenable to a possible BRAC as early as 2019. And fiscal year 2019 seems to be the best chance for that to occur,” says Sullivan.
He’s particularly watching one group on Capitol Hill.
“There’s always US congressmen that want to move the Carlisle War College to Kansas. And there’s a strong Kansas contingent that want to get it there. And they’re US congressmen that are fighting to move it to Leavenworth,” he adds.
Sullivan now works for the state Department of Community and Economic Development to demonstrate the value of military installations in Pennsylvania.
Past BRACs have affected parts of Letterkenney Army Depot in Franklin County, the county’s largest employer, along with installations across the state.
At least two groups have formed recently in the midstate to counter a potential closure.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
