“It's certainly a milestone marker in our process of creating a Joint Anacostia Bolling installation,“ said Lt. Col. Shawna Morrill, 11th Mission Support Group deputy commander and Joint Basing adviser. “But it is only one milestone in an ongoing effort. We, the Air Force and the Navy, still have a lot of work ahead before we can look back on our accomplishments in implementing this task.“

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission's May 2005 report recommended that Bolling AFB be realigned. Since then, Navy and Air Force leaders at Anacostia and Bolling have been meeting to determine the way ahead for consolidation.

“We're looking at functions at both locations in determining the logical choices for which service will be responsible for specific parts of the joint base mission, and which functions we can combine,“ said Col. Brian Anderson, 11th Mission Support Group commander. “For example, two of the main areas we're looking at are facility support and services, in trying to determine how many people or what part of Air Force or Navy assets already in place at both locations can effectively accomplish those missions. We're doing this across the board in all functions to consolidate resources and operate efficiently when we officially become Joint Base Anacostia Bolling.“

The signing of the implementation plan moves the joint basing process forward but by no means does it signal any changes to current 11th Wing operations, Colonel Anderson said.

“The Chief's Own, home of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Air Force Band will remain intact. There will be no change to our core missions. All 11th Wing Airmen and civilian personnel can be assured that while the Navy will be the lead service, the focus will be on the development of a 'true joint base,'“ Colonel Anderson said. “One of the guiding principles of BRAC is to act expeditiously when realigning activities from installations. However, rather than focusing on speed, we will focus on getting it right.“

The current timeline for the Joint Base Anacostia Bolling will be established in the near future, since the JBIG has been approved.

While there are still many unknowns, Colonel Morrill said the one constant will be communication. As decisions are confirmed, information will be relayed to all base personnel. Additionally, a Web site for Joint Basing information will be established and linked off of the 11th Wing home page at www.bolling.af.mil.