"Jim" wrote in message
...
Attended a nice airshow at the Barnes ANGB, Westfield Mass yesterday. Had
the chance to speak with a Lt Col alongside his Otis based F-15A.

I was aware BRAC voted to close the Otis ANGB but hadn't spotted a thing
about who would be picking up that tasking. To my surprise he replied
they were keeping the tasking but moving to Barnes.

He was openly questioning whether the BRAC panel had the full picture.
Instead of launching for intercepts with unrestricted climbs and sonic
speeds they would now have to weave their way through a maze of airways
traffic. One can only guess the impact that will have on the time to
intercept.

Interesting, yes. Barnes had a lower military value than Otis. The
commission generally favored higher military value, but they seemed a bit
queer for the Northeast. Moved tankers to Bangor and Pease (both low mil
value), kept New London and Portsmouth open even though their staff told 'em
the DoD argument to close didn't deviate from the BRAC guidance.

I've done BRAC since 91 as a volunteer consultant. Helped with community
presentations, briefed congressional, military, brac staff. Watched the
game play out. This commission was the most independent, least consistent,
most illogical of the four. Perhaps this commission was too smart for its
(our?) own good.

R / John