BRAC Recommendations Become Law

Georgia to Receive Approximately 4,000 New Military Personnel

ATLANTA – Today recommendations for military base closures made by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission became law. The Department of Defense’s BRAC recommendations were released May 13, 2005, after over two years of study. After extensive analysis and public hearings, the independent BRAC Commission forwarded its recommendations to President Bush on September 9, 2005. President Bush approved the recommendations, which were then sent to Congress on September 15, 2005. After 45 days without a challenge by Congress, the BRAC base closure recommendations become final.

“Georgia did everything possible to prepare for the BRAC process,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We’re disappointed that some Georgia bases will be closed, but we plan to be involved with our communities every step of the way during the redevelopment planning and implementation process. Overall, the BRAC recommendations to increase the number of military personnel in Georgia illustrate that our state is critical to national security and the war on terror.”

Although Fort McPherson, Fort Gillem, the Navy Supply Corps School and Naval Air Station Atlanta will close over the next six years, overall Georgia will gain approximately 4,000 military and civilian personnel.