Hooters and other comments
 

Gents: I am kept somewhat up to speed on the BRAC move to Eglin. I will keep you all posted as I hear something worth posting. I know how important this is to my 7th Group brothers and the rest of the community. I do know the following:

The Duke Field site was selected because of quality schools and the ability to procure affordable housing (whatever that is in Florida).

It will have outstanding range complexes built within very easy traveling distance of the compound (walking distance for small arms flat ranges).

They will have a self contained ASP (this is a huge advantage).

Airfield.

The drive to work will be painful even if you live in Crestview but they are looking at roadwork changes to ease this.

After everything I have heard the move is a good thing that should have happened 20 years ago. The training opportunities are enourmous and the "getting away from the flagpole" factor is equally appreciated.

It just can't happen quick enough. The EPA is surely one of several delays but the bottom line right now is: MOVE IN 2010.

Best I can do for now guys right now. Let's hope for the best and expect...... I don't want to say it.

Z

Crestview to Duke field is not a bad drive. Anywhere near Hwy 98 can be a nightmare. House prices are climbing.....my parents 1100 square foot home that they bought in 1963 for 12,500 is now priced at 115,000.

My dad, USAF retired, worked at Duke filed.

I lived there in the early 60's before my Army life. Family stills lives in FWB. If and when the 7th moves, most will find the area a great place to live in.........water, boats, girls in swim suits, booze, great fishing,,,, what's not to like?


Jim

Update
 

An update by Henry Cuningham was posted in the Miltary section of the Fayetteville Observer today. I never can find the link if it's not on the front page of a main section.

BRAC madated the move by 2011. The story quotes Col Vavrin and talks about the building of ranges. His last quote "We certainly think we can expect to meet that 2011 (deadline)".

So 2010/2011.

I wonder if SC will be out of training group by then?:D


Link to related story

http://fayobserver.com/article?id=250923



Pete

Damn... Thats just wrong.

Yes I will be. But I wont be making the move with 7th, not that TR and NDD hasnt attempted to sway me over to active duty.

Crip

A nostalgic moment!!
 

The Green Frog, "47, count em, 47 Frogettes!"

Wow - memories......

While Sammy's is not quite my style, ;) , I had a great steak at Pandora's last night and can verify that Sammy's is still very busy.

Played pool Monday night at the Paper Moon and had a good time. Not sure where we're going tonight...

Green Frog, just in case
 

In case you haven't been there in a while. I was TDY to Hurlburt in September and somehow ended up there. There was a young Phillipino boy checking ID's and a very large (at least 225) :( woman attempting to dance on stage. Sammy's and Club Ten were ok though, lol.

Wanted to bump this, and see if anybody had any updates. Thanks, Gabe.

Duke Field
 

Duke Field and Aux-6 were great areas for training; Carmichael's Academy For The Cultured Anatomy was great for those post-training stand-down's prior to redeployment to Fort Bragg. ;)

Richard

Still on, and no hard dates need to be provided IMHO. ;)

Eglin reconsidered the originally proposed site by the main base area and decided to put them out in the woods by Camp Rudder.

Environmental Impact Statement still not approved, either.

Great decision, BRAC.:rolleyes:

TR

Eglin Move
 

http://www.g-and-o.com/projects/pr_fed6.asp

Looks like USACE is dual tracking the design and NEPA. Some times an EIS can take years and generally USACE is not known for their speedy turn around of NEPA. The Mobile Office has a good rep, hope someone is applying pressure all the same.

Well and good, except that the BRAC allocates money for the move by the fiscal year, and the FYs are ticking by, without action.

TR

I am not sure about the funds to "move" but MILCON is multi-year money. There is all kinds of pressure to execute in the year of appropriation, but this is self imposed. The execution rate for BRAC this round is pretty poor, the language is poor, land is not always available, the appropriations are underfunded and very little master planning went into the closure and movement considerations. Bottom line is BRAC is Law, NEPA is Law, MILCON appropriations in the FYDP are Law, and therefore the lawyers will sort it out.
The Eglin project is much further ahead than the FY09 project that effects my organization, we are tied up in language and land.

Listening to higher ups within SOCOM- it sounds like this isn't a done deal yet. Comment I heard was maybe the new administration could kill it. Sounded like a lot was on hold until after the inauguration. Is current 7th leadership for this, anyone know?

I always thought 7th and 3rd had it good for their Groups being close to the flagpole in terms of influence. GEN Toney once referred to 7th as a "Mafia" that controlled USASFC.