Katherine Hammack, Army assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment, asked the House Appropriations Committee on Friday for another base realignment and closure round in fiscal year 2015.
Hammack testified to the panel that the Army needs to cut down supporting infrastructure in keeping with the 14 percent reduction in force structure and end strength by 2017, according to an Army News Service report.
J.D. Leipold writes the Army requested $2.4 billion in fiscal 2014, 34 percent lower from 2013, to provide shelter to the family of soldiers and to cover its base closure account.
The Army also asked for $15.2 billion to support the Army installations and facilities, Leipold writes.
During her testimony, Hammack said the Army had reduced its force structure in Europe by 45 percent, as well as 51 percent in infrastructure to prepare for respective 58 percent and 57 percent cuts in workforce and base operating costs, respectively.
“In Europe we’re working closely with [the Office of the Secretary of Defense] and the other services to identify if there are opportunities for ‘jointness’ or consolidation beyond that which the Army is already implementing,†Hammack said.
Hammack noted the Army had saved in $1 billion from the 2005 BRAC and used a portion of the savings for environmental cleanup investments.
