What are the benefits to the overseas basing initiative?
Excess physical capacity was eliminated with 64 closures and realignments. Of the 142 Air Force installations with operational flying missions today, Air Force recommendations will reduce that number by 28 flying units, a 20 percent reduction. Excess flightline infrastructure is reduced by 37 percent, but still retain sufficient ramp space for surge, emerging missions, or to accommodate Air Force aircraft permanently based overseas in the event the Air Force ever has to return those forces. In other words, the Air Force will be able to retain enough capacity to base worldwide Air Force forces entirely within the United States and its territories.
