DoD Announces Installation Realignment in U.K.

The Department of Defense announced May 15 that it would cease operations at RAF Eastcote and reduce operations at RAF West Ruislip, United Kingdom. Due to U.S. European Command force structure realignment and transformation, and the subsequent reduction in installation and personnel support requirements that have occurred during the past several years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe has identified these facilities as excess to the Navy’s needs. Consequently, Navy operations at RAF Eascote will cease by June 30, 2006 and will begin the process of returning facilities to the host nation by Oct. 1, 2006. This action is expected to save $400,000 annually in facility costs, with additional personnel savings to be realized by 2009. It will affect 70 U.S. service members, 33 DoD civilian employees and 38 host nation employees. Navy operations at RAF West Ruislip will be reduced beginning June 30, 2006 with a scheduled turnover of affected facilities on Oct. 1, 2006. Facilities affected by the reduction will be included in the process of return to the host nation. This action is expected to save $1 million annually in facility costs, with additional savings to be realized in 2009. It will affect seven U.S. service members, 55 DoD civilian employees and 95 host nation employees. Utlimate total annual savings with these actions will be about $10 million. As with all stationing actions, the U.S. has coordinated with host nation officials before this announcement.