NATO Air Defenses
Higher Funding Priorities Delay Some Initiatives for U.S. Bases in Europe Gao ID: NSIAD-89-36 November 18, 1988In response to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Department of Defense's (DOD) efforts to correct deficiencies in the defense and survivability of its air bases in Europe.
GAO found that: (1) the U.S. Air Force in Europe (USAFE) had begun to identify and correct problems in its Air Base Operability (ABO) Program at its main and collocated operating bases; (2) USAFE reallocation of funds from ABO hampered DOD efforts to correct program deficiencies; (3) because USAFE withdrew ABO design funds for collocated bases in January 1988, in anticipation of budget cuts, project designs were not complete and the projects did not qualify for additional budget funds; and (4) although reallocation of funds from ABO should not threaten ABO initiatives, the delay in implementing them could be lengthy.