Panetta hints at BRAC round

One likely consequence of the budget-trimming exercise the Pentagon is conducting is a new round of base closures, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told the New York Times last week. Panetta painted a broad picture of the kinds of spending categories that would be slashed as DOD officials search for $450 billion in savings over the coming decade. Panetta said priorities that could gain funding include special operations, unmanned aircraft and cyber operations. (Source: New York Times, 11/06/11) Gulf Coast note: The region has a dozen bases involved in a range of activities, including the priority fields mentioned by Panetta. Last week cuts were announced for Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Hurlburt Field, Fla., Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.