Team Infidel
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Charleston (SC) Post and Courier
October 24, 2008
Relocated base would bring jobs, millions in investments
By Ron Menchaca, The Post and Courier
The Lowcountry is in the running to become the headquarters for a major U.S. military command focused on Africa that could inject hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars of investment into the Charleston area.
The Charleston area is believed to be one of three finalists for the United States Africa Command at a site along the East Coast, said State Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, who has been involved with efforts to lure the command as part of the state military task force.
It's also possible that the headquarters could remain at its current base in Germany or be moved to Africa, he said.
"Every indication is we are one of the finalists," said Eckstrom, co-chairman of the task force originally designed to fight military base closures in the state. "I think it looks good from our point of view because Charleston has so much to offer."
A Pentagon team visited Charleston as recently as last week to conduct final site inspections, and a decision could be announced soon, Eckstrom said.
Eckstrom said one other East Coast site under consideration is Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base near Atlanta. He did not know the third location.
Members of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina's congressional delegation who have been lobbying for the international mission said it would boost the region's military profile and add another layer of protection against any future rounds of base closures.
It's unclear what the Lowcountry's chances are, but the area is definitely one of several sites inside and outside the country under consideration, said Mary Graham, the chamber's senior vice president of public policy.
"A lot of the things we do here, from cargo shipments to the C-17s at the air force base, are things that this command is going to need," Graham said.
The headquarters would likely require an existing military installation, such as the Charleston Air Force Base or the Naval Weapons Station, Graham said.
The chamber, along with the state's military and political leaders, also have pitched the Lowcountry's other key infrastructure and military functions such as SPAWAR and the Port of Charleston, which already handles a sizable volume of cargo between the U.S. and African nations.
President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates created the command in February 2007 to recognize the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the African continent. The command, which was previously split among three separate military commands, officially became independent as of Oct. 1.
The command is housed in Stuttgart, Germany. As of last month it had more than 900 personnel. Eventually the command could boast a staff of 1,300, including civilians and employees from other non-military U.S. agencies.
It's unclear how much the headquarters would mean in terms of economic investment, but figures already approved for the command are nothing to scoff at. For the fiscal year that began this month, the Defense Department requested $392 million to establish the command.
Graham said she has been told that the Pentagon is nearing the end of its selection process. Whether that means an announcement is imminent, she doesn't know. "They have been actively searching for a site. They are nearing the end of the search process," she said.
One scenario on the table is that the command be left in Germany, Graham said. In Stuttgart, Africa Command officials said they do not see the command leaving there anytime soon.
The command "is expected to remain in Stuttgart for the foreseeable future. Our focus is on the tremendously important work we coordinate in Africa, not on potential future locations," said command spokesman Vince Crawley.
Eckstrom said Gov. Mark Sanford also has been working behind the scenes to lure the headquarters, and as recently as this month wrote a letter to Gates highlighting Charleston's qualifications.
The Africa Command's Web site says the command is unique among the military's five other regional commands, such as Central Command out of Tampa that oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Unlike traditional Unified Commands, Africa Command will focus on war prevention rather than war-fighting," according to the Web site. "The creation of U.S. Africa Command does not mean the U.S. military will take a leading role in African security matters, nor will it establish large U.S. troop bases."
U.S. Rep Henry Brown said the headquarters would be a boon for the entire state.
"Senators (Lindsey) Graham, (Jim) DeMint and I have led the charge in championing this effort, as making Charleston home to this critically important command would ensure the long-term presence of the military in Charleston while bringing jobs to the region."
Brown said most of South Carolina's congressional delegation has been involved in pitching the Lowcountry to Pentagon officials, including urging Gates to pick Charleston for the site.
DeMint said Charleston is the ideal site because it provides savings for taxpayers, and Charleston already supports more missions in Africa than other possible sites.
"The combined strength of SPAWAR, the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston Air Force Base and a host of other military agencies in the area provide second-to-none support to the Defense Department," DeMint said.
AFRICOM
*Charleston is said to be one of three East Coast sites under consideration to become headquarters for United States Africa Command, which works with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to promote a stable and secure African environment in support of U.S. foreign policy.
*President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the creation of U.S. Africa Command on Feb. 6, 2007.
*About 1,000 civilians and military personnel work for the command in Stuttgart, Germany. That number is expected to climb to about 1,300 by the end of next year.
*The Defense Department has asked Congress for $392 million this fiscal year to establish Africa Command.
October 24, 2008
Relocated base would bring jobs, millions in investments
By Ron Menchaca, The Post and Courier
The Lowcountry is in the running to become the headquarters for a major U.S. military command focused on Africa that could inject hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars of investment into the Charleston area.
The Charleston area is believed to be one of three finalists for the United States Africa Command at a site along the East Coast, said State Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, who has been involved with efforts to lure the command as part of the state military task force.
It's also possible that the headquarters could remain at its current base in Germany or be moved to Africa, he said.
"Every indication is we are one of the finalists," said Eckstrom, co-chairman of the task force originally designed to fight military base closures in the state. "I think it looks good from our point of view because Charleston has so much to offer."
A Pentagon team visited Charleston as recently as last week to conduct final site inspections, and a decision could be announced soon, Eckstrom said.
Eckstrom said one other East Coast site under consideration is Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base near Atlanta. He did not know the third location.
Members of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina's congressional delegation who have been lobbying for the international mission said it would boost the region's military profile and add another layer of protection against any future rounds of base closures.
It's unclear what the Lowcountry's chances are, but the area is definitely one of several sites inside and outside the country under consideration, said Mary Graham, the chamber's senior vice president of public policy.
"A lot of the things we do here, from cargo shipments to the C-17s at the air force base, are things that this command is going to need," Graham said.
The headquarters would likely require an existing military installation, such as the Charleston Air Force Base or the Naval Weapons Station, Graham said.
The chamber, along with the state's military and political leaders, also have pitched the Lowcountry's other key infrastructure and military functions such as SPAWAR and the Port of Charleston, which already handles a sizable volume of cargo between the U.S. and African nations.
President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates created the command in February 2007 to recognize the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the African continent. The command, which was previously split among three separate military commands, officially became independent as of Oct. 1.
The command is housed in Stuttgart, Germany. As of last month it had more than 900 personnel. Eventually the command could boast a staff of 1,300, including civilians and employees from other non-military U.S. agencies.
It's unclear how much the headquarters would mean in terms of economic investment, but figures already approved for the command are nothing to scoff at. For the fiscal year that began this month, the Defense Department requested $392 million to establish the command.
Graham said she has been told that the Pentagon is nearing the end of its selection process. Whether that means an announcement is imminent, she doesn't know. "They have been actively searching for a site. They are nearing the end of the search process," she said.
One scenario on the table is that the command be left in Germany, Graham said. In Stuttgart, Africa Command officials said they do not see the command leaving there anytime soon.
The command "is expected to remain in Stuttgart for the foreseeable future. Our focus is on the tremendously important work we coordinate in Africa, not on potential future locations," said command spokesman Vince Crawley.
Eckstrom said Gov. Mark Sanford also has been working behind the scenes to lure the headquarters, and as recently as this month wrote a letter to Gates highlighting Charleston's qualifications.
The Africa Command's Web site says the command is unique among the military's five other regional commands, such as Central Command out of Tampa that oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Unlike traditional Unified Commands, Africa Command will focus on war prevention rather than war-fighting," according to the Web site. "The creation of U.S. Africa Command does not mean the U.S. military will take a leading role in African security matters, nor will it establish large U.S. troop bases."
U.S. Rep Henry Brown said the headquarters would be a boon for the entire state.
"Senators (Lindsey) Graham, (Jim) DeMint and I have led the charge in championing this effort, as making Charleston home to this critically important command would ensure the long-term presence of the military in Charleston while bringing jobs to the region."
Brown said most of South Carolina's congressional delegation has been involved in pitching the Lowcountry to Pentagon officials, including urging Gates to pick Charleston for the site.
DeMint said Charleston is the ideal site because it provides savings for taxpayers, and Charleston already supports more missions in Africa than other possible sites.
"The combined strength of SPAWAR, the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston Air Force Base and a host of other military agencies in the area provide second-to-none support to the Defense Department," DeMint said.
AFRICOM
*Charleston is said to be one of three East Coast sites under consideration to become headquarters for United States Africa Command, which works with other U.S. government agencies and international partners to promote a stable and secure African environment in support of U.S. foreign policy.
*President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the creation of U.S. Africa Command on Feb. 6, 2007.
*About 1,000 civilians and military personnel work for the command in Stuttgart, Germany. That number is expected to climb to about 1,300 by the end of next year.
*The Defense Department has asked Congress for $392 million this fiscal year to establish Africa Command.