Stars and Stripes reports that Germany may extend a loan to the top contractor on the new Kaiserslautern community center to get the problem-plagued project started again. The Air Force Office of Special Investigation and German officials have been looking into claims of corruption and mismanagement on the overdue project. Despite recent reassurances that the hotel and mall portion is nearly complete, the Stripes reports that Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) believes the investigation should continue because “the project continues to be over budget, behind schedule, and falling apart because of shoddy work.” At a hearing of his Oversight and Government Reform hearing in June, Waxman said much the same and blamed the Air Force for failing to provide “proper planning and oversight.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
