DoD announces overseas base closings

The Defense Department Tuesday announced military base closings at two overseas locations.

U.S Army Europe will cease operations in Bad Kreuznach, Germany and U.S. Air Forces in Europe will leave the Soesterberg Collocated Operating Base in the Netherlands, the Pentagon said.

Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Vince Warzinski said no jobs would be lost in the transfers, and that it will be run-of-the-mill relocations for both bases. He also said that every 10 to 12 months DoD reassesses location assignments to ensure the efficient use of site facilities. Relocating is one way the department streamlines its operations, he said.

According to a U.S. Army Europe news release, the 1st Armored Division headquarters in Bad Kreuznach will be moved to Wiesbaden, Germany by the end of December 2001. Units in Wiesbaden will eventually relocate to make room for the division.

The division in Bad Kreuznach will be vacating the following facilities: the Bad Kreuznach Family Housing Area, the Army Air Field, the Hospital Kaserne, the George C. Marshall Kaserne, the Moersfled Storage Point and Rose Barracks.

In the Netherlands, the Soesterberg Air Force Base became the property of the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 1994 after a U.S. fighter squadron returned to America. The U.S. reserved space on the base in case the need for extra facilities arose. According to reports, there are only a small number of people currently stationed at Soesterberg.