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Joint Basing Provides Opportunity, Challenges for D.C. Bases

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080202-13
Release Date: 2/2/2008 7:24:00 PM

By William Alaba Anderson, Naval District Washington and Maj. David Malakoff, 11th Wing Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) and Bolling Air Force Base (AFB) in Washington are moving forward together on the cutting edge of military installation management.

This new effort, termed "Joint Basing," is being led by NSAW, which will assume management responsibility for Naval Support Facility Anacostia and Bolling AFB when combined into "Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling."

The Joint Basing Implementation Guidance Plan, signed Jan. 22 by Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, provides direction for NSAW and Bolling AFB to proceed in making the joint base a reality.

The concept of joint basing provides a cost effective way to manage military installations and save taxpayer dollars. To make the joint base a reality, however, many challenges must be overcome.

Functional work groups will report on their capabilities to a Joint Basing Partnership Council (JBPC), co-chaired by NSAW Commanding Officer, Capt. George Chamberlain and Air Force Col. Brian Anderson, 11th Mission Support Group commander at Bolling AFB.

"We're looking at functions at both locations in determining the logical choices for which service will be responsible for specific parts of the joint base mission, and which functions we can combine," said Anderson. "For example, two of the main areas we're looking at are facility support and services, in trying to determine how many people or what part of Air Force or Navy assets already in place at both locations can effectively accomplish those missions. We're doing this across the board in all functions to consolidate resources and operate efficiently when we officially become Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling."

"The process of examining those functional areas and creating the Joint Base from the existing people and assets has been challenging," Chamberlain added. "We have been working the issues, performing studies and have even done some tabletop exercises, for over two and a half years now, and we've come a long way. We're fortunate to have the leadership and expertise of the Air Force and Navy department heads; they have been instrumental to the success that we've enjoyed thus far."

The driving force behind merging the two military installations comes from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law, which reads in part: "Realign Bolling AFB, D.C., by relocating the installation management functions to Naval District Washington at the Washington Navy Yard, establishing Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C."

Once the JBPC identifies the best ways to maximize installation support efficiency, it can begin to reallocate resources and implement the new management infrastructure. The JBPC will continue to review and refine this new Joint Base Anacostia Bolling organization as increased understanding is gained on how it works.

"Col. Anderson and I fully realize that the changes that will occur as we execute the Department of Defense Joint Basing Guidance can be scary – many of our employees are wondering what will happen, will there be job security," Chamberlain said. "While I can't predict the outcome for each and every billet, I can say that we will focus on delivering the highest quality base operating support, and so we will need the talent and expertise of our employees to make the Joint Base work. As leaders, we know that the Joint Base's success will be a reflection of how well we take care of our people."

This process will take considerable time to fully implement. Sailors and Airmen, Navy and Air Force civilians and their family members should rest assured that Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling will be designed to meet the needs of all the units, organizations and people who live and work there.

While there are still many unknowns, the one constant will be communication. As decisions are confirmed, information will be related to all personnel on both bases. Additionally, a Web site for Joint Basing information will be established and linked off the home pages of both NSAW (www.cnic.navy.mil/nsaw) and the 11th Wing (www.bolling.af.mil) .

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/ndw/.