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CES saves big by returning land to Germany
Posted 10/17/2012 Updated 10/18/2012
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by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/17/2012 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron returned the Bitburg French Kaserne and the 27 acres of land it is located on to the Federal Republic of Germany Aug. 20, 2012.
The 52nd CES real property team declared Bitburg Annex's French Kaserne as excess because its function was no longer required. The team returned it to Germany per the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Germany.
The SOFA agreement requires the United States only use facilities necessary to mission operations.
"With the closure of Bitburg Air Base in 1994, the functions in the French Kaserne slowly reduced with the consolidation to Spangdahlem," said Capt. Greg Ward, 52nd CES operations flight commander. "Functions are being consolidated at Bitburg Annex and Spangdahlem Air Base for more efficient operations."
The child development center and post office were located in the Kaserne and consolidated to Spangdahlem AB; and grounds maintenance, the fire department, and the fitness center moved to the Bitburg housing community this year.
Consolidating facilities and returning this land is also a part of the 52nd Fighter Wing's Spangdahlem Evolution Plan. Returning the French Kaserne and moving operations saves the 52nd FW approximately $1.2 million in utility, operations and maintenance costs per year. This saves not only money, but the man hours, time and materials it takes to run the 465,000 square-foot facility, Ward added.
The re-use of the facility and land will be determined by the Federal Republic of Germany.
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