Future NATO Funding at Collocated Operating Bases Should Focus on Key Needs

In response to a congressional request, GAO assessed the status and implementation of the collocated operating bases program for augmenting U.S. and allied bases located in Europe with U.S. equipment and aircraft in the event of an emergency. Since GAO first assessed the program in 1977, Congress has been concerned about the increasing requests for U.S. funding to support construction projects for the program.

The United States has negotiated a series of bilateral agreements with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies in Europe to implement this program, and $240 million has been spent for construction projects at collocated operating bases. The Air Force command in Europe says that only a limited number of bases are fully able to support the assigned forces. However, GAO found that Air Force assessments of base capabilities often do not consider support facilities provided by the host nation. Further, the Air Force: (1) does not factor in initiatives by U.S. logistics planners to preposition fuel and munitions stocks closer to some bases; and (2) does not adequately assess the joint demands of U.S. and allied aircraft on existing facilities. GAO believes that the collocated operating bases program should rely on NATO funding. Although the Air Force has begun focusing on building key collocated operating base facilities in priority order, it has not closely coordinated this strategy with NATO.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Harry R. Finley Team: General Accounting Office: International Division Phone: (202) 512-5187