FORT MONROE, Va. (Jan. 22, 2010) - As U.S. Training and Doctrine Command prepares to move to the future Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Eustis invited local media to discuss joining with Langley Air Force Base and the official name change date Jan. 31.
Leaders present were Army Col. Glenn Grothe, Fort Eustis garrison commander, and Air Force Col. Kevin Altman, former 1st Mission Support Group commander and now the 633rd Mission Support Group commander, to explain the process and experience of joining the two bases.
"It's been an interesting combination learning how each other does things," Altman said. "What we have found is that each of us has best practices that, when we come together, we will be able to utilize for taking care of Soldiers and Airmen as a joint base."
Base Realignment and Closure will move Headquarters TRADOC from Fort Monroe to JBLE, becoming a supported component organization continuing to follow Army regulations. Installation Management Command civilians of Fort Eustis may convert to Air Force civilians. The JBLE total population will be approximately 114,300 active-duty Soldiers and Airmen, civilian and retired personnel, not including TRADOC personnel. The transition phase, initial operating capability, is spread out over nine months' time, beginning this month.
JBLE's installation support was passed to the 633rd Air Base Wing Jan. 7, which will support both Langley and Eustis. The name change will become official Jan. 31.
The Air force-led installation is conducting a Green Belt Traffic Study for the main gate operations. "Once this [results] is implemented, the recommendations should provide ease of access without compromising installation security guard personnel," said Monica Miller Rodgers, mediator of the round table. Two gates allow access to the post: the main gate located on Fort Eustis Boulevard, minutes away from I-64, and Routes 60 and 173.
Also, JBLE will not routinely issue DD Form 2220 (Department of Defense Registered Vehicle) decals or register vehicles. TRADOC personnel may use their current decals until expiration. Once decals expire, personnel can register their vehicles with JBLE. A valid photo ID will gain access to both Eustis and Langley.
"We are still looking at the possibility of issuing decals for military retirees and personnel whose duties require access to other area installations," said Miller Rodgers.
HQ TRADOC's current home, Fort Monroe, will close in September 2011, falling under the direction of the city of Hampton.
"This allows us, at a DoD level, to look at cross-service efficiencies and bring those to bear across the department," said Grothe. "In the long term, I think the department is looking for ways to become more efficient."
Although the installation will be led by the Air Force, the post will keep Army customs. "We will still retain our traditions and our heritage as an Army installation," said Grothe.
Altman added, "It will be a bit of a challenge at the beginning, but we see this as nothing but total goodness."
"Over time, especially for us in uniform, we have become more involved jointly. It's less of an impact than some may realize,'' said Grothe. "In the end, the joint base will be great for everyone who chooses to be a part of it."
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