ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Six sites slated to be returned to Germany and Belgium will now be retained by U.S. Army Europe and Africa as the need for facilities grows apace with operational requirements.

The move is a result of a 2018 assessment, directed by DoD, of the sites remaining in Europe. The assessment, conducted by U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Installation Management Command-Europe, found that growth requirements were outpacing facility construction and renovation, according to a press release from U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

Service members, civilian employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are now required to wear masks indoors on DoD installations and facilities in areas with “substantial or high community transmission” of COVID-19.

The Army will produce a climate change strategy within about two months, the Army’s top installation officials told Congress. 

Testifying recently before the House Armed Services Committee’s readiness subcommittee, Jack Surash, acting assistant secretary for installations, environment and energy, said he has no doubt that climate change is having an impact on the Army and its planning. 

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, will be the first stop in a series of site visits for members of the commission tasked with renaming military installations honoring Confederate leaders.

Commission members will initially focus on DoD-owned installations as they plan visits over the summer and through the fall to meet with commanders and local leaders, said retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard, the commission chair. 

The Army needs to be better prepared for the destructive power of climate change, Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram, the Army Installation Management Command commander, told Congress. 

“The Army takes very seriously the threats that climate change poses to our installations and facilities,” Gabram said March 26 in testimony before the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee. 

Winter Storm Uri, a major February storm, caused severe damage across the southeastern United States with ice, snow and blackouts. 

Army installations need to step up defenses against a combination of new and emerging threats, according to a new Rand Corp. report that warns traditional physical security, antiterrorism and emergency preparedness won’t be enough to provide safe outposts.

There is a lot of room for improvement in military medical treatment facilities and programs, the DoD inspector general says in a report tied to the transition of hospitals and clinics away from the services and into the Defense Health Agency.

That transition is already underway, but the effort has stalled because of concerns in the services and Congress about timing.

The Army’s installation commanders are focused on safety as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 crisis—a challenge that does not have a “one-size-fits-all solution,” a top general said.  

“We’re dug in but continuing to fight,” Lt. Gen. Doug Gabram, commanding general of Army Installation Management Command, said during a virtual media roundtable on April 15.

Gabram’s advice to installation commanders: “Protect yourself so you can protect the force and the force can protect the nation.”

The Army must have installations that are ready, modern and able to project lethal power wherever and whenever called upon, a senior Army leader recently told members of the House Armed Services Committee.

“As our installations evolve and rise in their importance to operations, emerging threats have simultaneously presented additional challenges to our installations,” said Alex Beehler, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, in prepared remarks for an October hearing before the HASC subcommittees on intelligence and readiness.