Number: 97-305
Title: Military Base Closures: A Historical Review from 1988 to 1995
Authors: David E. Lockwood and George H. Siehl, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: This report discusses a concerted effort to close unneeded military bases as part of wide-ranging efforts during the 1980s and 1990s to balance the budget. This effort had been supported by a broad consensus that, among the approximately 3,800 military bases (1990 est.) in the United States, many could be closed without significant detrimental effect to national security. This view became more pronounced in the wake of the Soviet Unions breakup and collapse of the Warsaw Pact military threat. While most analysts agreed that the Department of Defenses (DODs) base structure was larger than necessary to meet the departments needs, there were differences concerning which, if any, additional bases should be closed, at what speed, and what criteria should be used for making those decisions.
Pages: 17
Date: October 18, 2004