With far less fanfare than greeted the kickoff of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process back in May, the final recommendations of the BRAC commission became law, when Congress failed to reject the list within 45 days after lawmakers received the package from President Bush. DOD can now begin closing and realigning 22 major bases and 33 other large facilities across the country.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3