BASE REALIGNMENT & CLOSURE (BRAC)

The Base Realignment & Closure Commission recommendations to Congress, which became law November 9, 2005, include the move of seven different entities to Redstone Arsenal. In total, these moves account for an anticipated 4,714 new jobs with the creation of additional jobs by defense contractors supporting the work of the affected agencies. The moves will further position Redstone Arsenal as a major center for Army aviation and missiles and will include the addition of several new general officers, including at least one fourstar, two three-star and three two-star generals. Scheduling for the moves has already begun and will continue over a several year period to end no later than September 2011.

U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC)
Affected Personnel: 1,410

The U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) buys, inventories, maintains, and distributes everything from traditional bullets, beans, and boots to huge container ships and aircraft. It’s been said that if a soldier shoots it, eats it, rides in it or communicates with it, it was likely provided by the Materiel Command. AMC is a “major command” and is the parent to Redstone’s Aviation and Missile Command. Operations will move from Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Additionally the 80-piece, 389th Army Band (AMC’s Own), will relocate to Redstone from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC)
Affected Personnel: 367

The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) manages foreign military sales of more than $5 billion/year to about 140 allied countries, friendly nations and multinational organizations. If an allied nation wants to use U.S. Army products like Apache helicopters or TOW missiles, they must make those arrangements through USASAC. Operations will move from Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Affected Personnel: 2,248

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is what is known as a “purple” organization since it is not aligned with a specific military branch of service. Instead, MDA is an agency directly under the U.S. Department of Defense that facilitates missile defense systems development thatintegrates multiservice capabilities into a seamless theater defense system. MDA is also responsible for guiding the development of a missile defense system capable of defending the U.S. from foreign missile attack. Operations will move from various areas in northern Virginia.

U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command (SMDC)
Affected Personnel: 180

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) is responsible for developing the Army’s missile defense systems and assuring the Army’s access to and utilization of space assets in the execution of their mission. Operations will move from Arlington, VA.

U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC)
Affected Personnel: 323

The U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) plans, conducts, analyzes, and reports on the developmental and airworthiness qualification of aircraft, aviation systems, and associated equipment throughout the life cycle. Airworthiness qualification testing focuses on assessing the handling qualities of the aerial vehicle and its performance (e.g. flight, hover, autorotation, etc.) and flight in icing conditions. Operations will move from Ft. Rucker, Alabama.

Rotary Wing Air Platform Research, Development & Evaluation (RDAT&E)
Affected Personnel: 50

The Rotary Wing Air Platform Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation (RDAT & E) organization manages U.S. Air Force wholesale logistics, acquisition and test efforts for its helicopter assets. The RDAT & E move, together with the ATTC move, will establish a joint center for rotary wing air platform at Redstone.

U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade
Affected Personnel: 136

The U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade manages the Army recruiting personnel and efforts in the southeastern portion of the U.S. including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. Operations will move from Ft. Gillem, Georgia.

BRAC Summary

Estimated New Personnel
Total: 4,714
Military: 365
Civilians: 1,819
Contractors: 2,409
Other: 121

For those moving to the Huntsville area due to BRAC, you can contact a local Realtor to assist in your relocation.