WASHINGTON – The Army continues to make significant progress in restoring and transferring land at Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD), the nation’s Air and Missile Defense Depot, as part of ongoing Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions. On January 14, 2026, Ms. Amy Borman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health, joined the BRAC team for a site visit to LEAD, receiving updates on the installation’s status and the environmental remediation efforts underway.
“My visit to Letterkenny was focused on ensuring we remain aligned on completing the final BRAC actions responsibly and transparently. Environmental remediation is a critical part of returning Army land safely to the community while supporting the long-term mission of the installation,” said Ms. Borman.
The final phase of BRAC at LEAD involves transferring property to the local reuse authority, with progress dependent on addressing environmental concerns related to volatile organic compounds from a former Oil Burn Pit. The Army is deploying Electric Resistance Heating (ERH) technology to remediate groundwater, heating it to high temperatures to remove contaminants, which are then captured by an advanced air filtration system. “This technology represents the Army’s commitment to safe, science-based cleanup solutions that protect both people and the environment,” said Levi Thurman, BRAC Environmental Coordinator and Restoration Program Manager.
During her visit, Ms. Borman toured the ERH construction site and LEAD’s main repair and manufacturing facility, which is essential for repair and modernization of air and missile defense and precision-fires systems for U.S. and Allied forces.
“The capabilities of LEAD directly enhance the readiness and reliability of our air and missile defense formations. Their work ensures Soldiers and Allied partners have the systems they need, when they need them,” said Jesse Tressler, Department of Public Works Chief.
The Army’s cleanup efforts at LEAD are coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). Through the Depot Cleanup Team, these agencies and other stakeholders meet monthly to ensure transparent communication and effective solutions. To date, this partnership has enabled the orderly transfer of over 1,000 acres of land.
The Army remains committed to employing advanced remediation technologies to safely restore former training and industrial lands, ensuring they can be returned to the local community for future use.
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