One Team Moving Forward: Anacostia, Bolling begin transition to joint base

Published Feb. 3, 2010
By Marilyn C. Holliday
11th Wing Public Affairs Office

BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. -- Feb. 1 marks the first day of the initial operational capability phase of the joint basing implementation process for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

In commemoration of the historical event, Air Force and Navy members greeted Anacostia and Bolling employees and residents at base entry gates today. The event was followed by a symbolic handshake between the two commanders during a meeting that included leaders from all associate units.

"We are all in - one team moving forward," Air Force Col. Cedric George, 11th Wing commander, said. "The Air Force and the Navy are in the middle of a deliberate process to vet all functions, leveraging the best practices of both services to guarantee there's no decrease in service or care to our outstanding customers. Customers may see a different face or uniform, but the superior customer service must remain the same, no matter who is providing the service."

Offices transitioning in during the next three months are: Administrative Management and Executive Office, Records Management, Postal Services, Supply, Storage and Distribution (non-munitions), Installation Movement, Honors and Protocol, Public Affairs, Management Analysis, Airfield Operations, Small Arms Range Management and 11th Services Division members and Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

"We are all working hard to set up Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling for mission success," Navy Capt. John Sears, Naval Support Washington commanding officer, said. "The Air Force and the Navy will work together throughout the implementation process to ensure we maintain or improve quality of life and our sense of community."

IOC kicks off the transition that will be completed by full operational capability, which is Oct. 1, 2010. The period between IOC and FOC is known as the implementation phase.

"The implementation phase allows the joint base commander and supported component commanders to work closely to integrate people into the joint base structure while learning new joint base processes," Captain Sears said.

Between IOC and FOC there are about 285 Air Force members who will embed with the Navy for joint basing and about 672 Air Force civilians who will transfer to the Navy. The majority of Bolling's authorizations will support the joint base.

There are 22 Navy military members and 441 Navy civilians who will combine with the Air Force to create the joint base.

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is one of 12 locations where DOD-defined installation management functions will come together to form joint bases. By creating joint organizational and basing solutions, DoD will facilitate multi-service missions, reduce waste, save money, and potentially free up resources to recruit quality people, modernize equipment and infrastructure, and develop the capabilities needed to meet 21st Century threats.