Defense communities cope with uncertain times
Posted 2/15/2011
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by Susan Wolbarst
Air Force Real Property Agency
2/15/2011 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Representatives from around the country have gathered here Feb. 14 through 16 for a three-day Winter Forum sponsored by the Association of Defense Communities to discuss the challenges faced by U.S. military installations, both those which are active and those which were closed over the years during several rounds of Base Realignment and Closure beginning in 1988. The latter are being cleaned of environmental contamination by the military and returned to communities for redevelopment.
Opportunities to benefit from lessons learned across the country and interact with members of all the military branches simultaneously is what attracts attendees to this conference and another ADC gathering in the summer. Residents of defense communities from around the country and contractors who do business with them attend, along with military representatives.
The prevalent theme throughout the conference is how officials from the Air Force and other service branches must think differently about everything from energy use to "integrated sourcing" of services, and how they can benefit from collaboration with other branches, including sharing best practices.
In a senior-level panel, Kathleen Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, spoke about savings realized by reducing overhead, energy, logistics, training and acquisition costs.
Saved dollars can be shifted to warfighter and readiness programs, Ms. Ferguson said.
"The Air Force is committed to enhancing capabilities by reducing overhead and support functions now and into the future," she said.
Bob Moore, director of the Air Force Real Property Agency, described Enhanced Use Leases, which allow the government to "unlock the value" of underutilized non-excess property at Air Force installations.
Citing the utility scale solar project at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., being developed by Air Force engineers in partnership with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures of San Francisco, Mr. Moore said such projects could make installations energy independent, "but you've got to realize it's a 50-year partnership."
Mr. Moore also spoke of the need "to build a better record of success with EULs," predicting that "once it takes off, everybody will want to play."
The conference wraps up Feb. 16, after more discussions of innovation, energy efficiency, deal making, joint basing and public/private partnerships.
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