DefenceTalkOkinawa (Japan): Residents of Japan’s Okinawa go to the polls Sunday in a closely watched referendum on the controversial relocation of a US military base to a remote part of the island. The vote is seen as highly symbolic but is also non-binding, raising questions about what effect it will have, even if opponents of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japans-okinawa-to-vote-on-controversial-us-base-move-72124/

DefenceTalkPENTAGON: The United States maintains a base in southern Syria that limits Iranian forces’ ability to move through Syria’s al-Tanf border crossing, U.S. officials and experts tell VOA. “Our mere presence there accomplishes that, whether it’s a goal or not,” Army Maj. Josh Jacques, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), said. The base was […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-base-in-southern-syria-sends-signal-to-iran-71766/

DefenceTalkThe Djibouti Logistics Support Base of the People’s Liberation Army conducted a live-fire exercise on Thursday with its heavy-duty weapons, according to the Chinese military. Several wheeled tank destroyers and wheeled infantry fighting vehicles from the base in the Horn of Africa took part in the exercise at a local shooting range and fired dozens […]https://www.defencetalk.com/live-fire-exercises-conducted-by-pla-base-in-djibouti-70863/

DefenceTalkConstruction work has begun in Bahrain to build Britain’s first permanent military base in the Middle East since 1971, amid security threats in the region, Bahrain’s state media reported Sunday. “The ground-breaking ceremony for the establishment of the marine facilities headquarters in the kingdom of Bahrain” was launched on Saturday, the official BNA news agency. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/construction-begins-in-bahrain-of-british-army-base-65756/

DefenceTalkRussia will build a unified network of naval facilities on its Arctic territories to host advanced warships and submarines as part of a plan to boost protection of the country’s interests and borders in the region, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. “We need to strengthen our military infrastructure. In particular, to create in our part […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-build-network-of-modern-naval-bases-in-arctic-putin-59383/

DefenceTalkInnovations meant to improve Soldiers’ quality of life during deployments — while saving lives, fuel, water and money — were on display here Nov. 5, at the Army Base Camp Integration Laboratory. The Army Base Camp Integration Laboratory, or BCIL, hosted its second annual “Base Camp Resource and Energy Efficiency Day.” Situated on 10 acres […]https://www.defencetalk.com/energizing-base-camps-of-the-future-49613/

DefenceTalkAir Force officials announced today Altus Air Force Base, Okla., as the preferred alternative for the KC-46A formal training unit (FTU). McConnell AFB, Kan., was selected as the preferred alternative for the first active duty led KC-46A main operating base (MOB 1) and Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., are the reasonable alternatives. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46a-training-operational-bases-alternatives-selected-47881/

DefenceTalkWhile the U.S. continues to reduce its military presence in Europe, the Defense Department is conducting a review to identify more Europe-based installations and training areas to recommend for closure or realignment. Then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta directed the review in January, and results are expected by the year’s end, a senior defense official told […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-conducts-brac-like-review-in-europe-47637/

DefenceTalkThe Army says a round of base realignment and closure for fiscal year 2015 is necessary to save tax dollars, consolidate resources and adapt to force reductions. With a smaller total force over the next years — from a high of 570,000 in 2010 to 490,000 in 2017 — the Army’s need for facilities will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-seeks-round-of-base-closure-realignment-for-2015-47588/