Lawmakers have received the Rand analysis of the planned consolidation and shift of test assets from Eglin AFB, Fla., to Edwards AFB, Calif., and the savings picture is not as rosy as painted by Air Force Materiel Command, reports the Northwest Florida Daily News. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) told the newspaper that his staff is still reviewing the “very thorough analysis,” but he noted that Rand indicated “significantly less” cost savings than anticipated by AFMC. The proposal sparked quite a controversy last year around the Florida Panhandle base, prompting Congress to prohibit any action until the issue can be further studied. There are still two more analyses in the works concerning potential cost-saving research, development, and test consolidations throughout DOD.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.