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My rant will follow:

Coast Guard Opposes Closing of Cape Base

Washington - The Coast Guard is challenging the Pentagon's proposal to shut down Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, saying it will cost millions of dollars and possibly hurt coastal patrols.

Coast Guard Rear Adm. Tim Sullivan told the Base Closure and Realignment Commission that if Otis closes and the Coast Guard has to relocate, it will cost millions of dollars and increase response time beyond acceptable standards. In a letter released Friday, Acting Coast Guard Commandant Terry M. Cross, a vice admiral, said there is no funding in the Coast Guard's budget to take over the costs of operating the Cape Cod station if the Air Guard leaves.

Now for my rant. I'm certain someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the commission was supposed to look at all facets of base closure. Didn't anyone on the commission think to ask the question about this? The people on the commission are not GS-5 admin types, they are GS double digits. It's been pointed out that BRAC is not supposed to be political but stupid stuff like this calls into question the credibility of the whole report.

Old Chief

what does a CG unit need to operate from an airfield? Surely there is an airport resonably nearby that can accomodate them. How many frames are stationed there? all helos or some Hercs and Falcons?

Fighting For Justice With Brains Of Steel !
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The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

The facilities at Otis have probably not been upgraded since the late 60's early 70's and to do so would cost many millions of dollars to do so compared to the millons that it would cost to re-locate the USCG.

"GLAD TO HAVE BEEN THERE AND HAVE BEEN PROUD TO HAVE SERVERED"

They fly 60's and Falcons Boomer. There's only one airport on the cape that could handle a Falcon and that's in Hyannis..but there's absolutely no real estate left. The other two airports, Falmouth and Provincetown, are small single strip. I think P'town has 2800 feet with a localizer only approach, Falmouth a little less and no published approach.

Old Chief

The base recommendtion(s) were made by the Pentagon to the BRAC commission. Now, until mid September, it's the job of the BRAC commission to hold hearings and determine the viability of the Pentagon's recommendations, before they forward their recommendations to the President and Congress. This simpy what's happening now.......arguments for and against the DOD list submitted to BRAC. The BRAC commission can add, modify, delete, or otherwise change the list from DOD, and this we're seeing, is just one of the arguments being presented.