Airmen at Fairchild AFB, Wash., have been demolishing 1950s-era munitions bunkers in an effort to reduce the Air Force’s building footprint, according to an Air Force news release. The bunkers were used for storing munitions when the base was part of Strategic Air Command. The project, which began in the summer of 2014, involves demolishing 33 munitions storage bunkers and four roads through the grounds. Though originally planned as five separate projects, it was consolidated into one project, saving about $3.5 million, according to the news release. Now, members of the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron and the 92nd Contracting Squadron are working with contractors on the second phase of the project: the actual demolition. The project is slated for completion in April 2016. Most of the materials are being recycled and reused; discussions have just begun about how to use the land after the demolition.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.