jblm.jpg
When the defense department combined Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base and other military bases seven years ago, it said it would save billions of dollars, but the savings aren't panning out. (AP Photo)

Merging JBLM not saving money estimated

BY Chris Sullivan  on July 5, 2012 @ 5:00 am (Updated: 6:58 am - 7/5/12 )

When the defense department combined Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base and other military bases seven years ago, it said it would save billions of dollars, but the savings aren't panning out.

Combining those bases, closing others and eliminating redundant programs was supposed to add up to $36 billion by 2025.

The defense department now says the savings will likely only amount to $10 billion.

It turns out, making the transition to a more streamlined operation cost a lot more on the front-end than the Department of Defense expected. The Pentagon expected up- front costs to run about $21 billion. It has spent $35 billion. It says construction costs have run a lot higher than expected.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports JBLM is seeing some savings and has gained some important efficiencies, but the base says it's too soon to say what the long term savings will be.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (7)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    If reality is 'only' $10B over 20 years..........
    July 5, 2012 6:11 am
    That's a whole $500M per year. Not small change, but a pittance compared to the trillions we've wasted over the past 4 years.

    Penny wise and pound foolish?

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  • imanegro wrote...
    These are the people that want to run health care...
    July 5, 2012 7:04 am
    Yeah, that sounds like a winner. Remember this: ANYTIME government gets involved, the cost goes up and quality goes down. Every time.
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  • CH wrote...
    Ron Ron Ron pump the brakes . . . .
    July 5, 2012 8:08 am
    think real hard. Who wanted to go after the "evil-doers"? Clue you might have in your front yard [BUSH]. Bet it has more brains.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    CH - put the yard bush and the "W" Bush together......
    July 5, 2012 9:18 am
    And their combined 'brains' still outweigh yours.

    But, yes, it was Boy George who set this in motion, not the Wizard of Oz. So, what's your point ? ... Do you think every time someone points out government waste it's Obama ? ..... Heck - that's like you turning around in a mall every time you hear someone yell 'Hey, Idiot'.

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  • WashingtonCitizen wrote...
    Supposed to save $36 billion by 2025 but
    July 5, 2012 8:33 am
    has cost $35 billion inside of 7 yrs just to implement.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    So my point is we would not be here if Boy George did not lie.
    July 5, 2012 11:07 am
    bet he and you like cheery pie. Yes I do turn around in the mall every time I hear someone yell 'Hey, Idiot' because I like looking at idiots. Bed time for you Ron :When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went about chopping everything that came his way. One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his mother's pea sticks, he found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died. Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody could tell him anything about it. Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room. "George,'' said his father, "do you know who has killed my beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five guineas for it!'' This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried: "I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it with my little hatchet.'' The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in his arms, he said: "My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me than a thousand trees! Yes - though they were blossomed with silver and had leaves of the purest gold!'' Now go to bed.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Congradulations, CH. Have you really sobered up ?
    July 5, 2012 12:23 pm
    Such a long post, and cohesive. You clearly are not using today. AND - it's almost funny, for real !

    Seriously - good job !

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