Dianne Feinstein: “as chair of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, I have the opportunity and responsibility to take a…”

“as chair of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, I have the opportunity and responsibility to take a close look at our military's construction needs throughout the world. During our August recess, I chose to take a closer look at an initiative recently implemented by the Army in Europe called ``Efficient Basing''. This initiative is a two part process that will streamline the Army's infrastructure needs in Germany and in Italy. The plan will direct much needed funds to consolidate U.S. bases throughout Germany, and better position an airborne battalion south of the Alps in Vicenza, Italy to more quickly respond to the possibility of crisis in the Transcaucasus, the Balkans, the Middle East and Africa. Although the costs for this initiative could total nearly $1 billion when complete, there is little doubt that it will both dramatically reduce the long term costs of basing our forces in Western Europe and provide better strategic positioning for regional conflicts and the global war on terrorism. This aptly named ``Efficient Basing'' initiative is being guided by the U.S. Army's European Commander in Chief, Gen. Montgomery Meigs.”