Massachusetts lawmakers are casting doubt on the Pentagon’s claimed savings from closing Otis Air National Guard Base. Their number comes up almost $500 million less positive. The new data provided to the BRAC commission by the Massachusetts ANG show that, over 20 years, the Otis closure would cost DOD some $160 million, rather than delivering a savings of $336 million.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.