RALEIGH, N.C. — Major recommendations for military installations in North Carolina, as contained in the final report of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission:
POPE AIR FORCE BASE:
Deactivate the 43rd Airlift Wing and redistribute its 25 C-130E aircraft and the 36 A-10 aircraft assigned to the base's 23rd Fighter Group. Transfer real property accountability at Pope to the Army. Transfer 16 C-130H aircraft to Pope Army Air Field. Establish an Air Support Operations Group to command Air Force units on Pope Army Air Field.FORT BRAGG:
Relocate the Headquarters U.S. Forces Command and the Headquarters U.S. Army Reserve Command from bases in Georgia to Pope/Fort Bragg. Move the 7th Special Forces Group to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Activate a new 4th Brigade Combat team at Fort Bragg. Relocate European-based forces to Fort Bragg.MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT:
Disestablish Naval Air Depot Cherry Point. Establish Fleet Readiness Center East at MCAS Cherry Point. Establish Fleet Readiness Center East Site New River at MCAS New River at Camp Lejeune. Transfer depot maintenance duties to other bases including readiness centers at New River and Cherry Point.OTHER:
Delete Pentagon recommendation to close Army Research Office in Durham and research facilities in Virginia, relocating their functions to National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Close the Armed Forces Reserve Centers in Wilmington and Albermarle, N.C., and in Rock Hill, S.C., and relocate all Army and Navy units to a new Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, if the Army can acquire suitable land to build facilities.Copyright 2024 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
