U.S. Department of Defense reveals reasons for New Orleans base closing

The U.S. Department of Defense expects to save $276.42 million over 20 years by closing the Naval Support Activity base in New Orleans.

That's according to a much-anticipated DOD report on the cost savings expected by closing NSA, which has facilities in Algiers and Bywater.

DOD

is recommending closure of the New Orleans base along with about 200 other U.S. military installations to save the federal government money as well as to improve efficiency of the military. NSA, which serves as the national headquarters of the Navy Reserve and Marine Forces Reserve, employs approximately 4,600 people at an annual payroll of approximately $128 million.

NSA was placed on the closure list May 13.

DOD wants to relocate the Navy Reserve command from New Orleans to Naval Support Activity in Norfolk, Va. The Marine Forces Reserve headquarters at NSA in New Orleans would relocate to the Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse. Other commands and operations at the New Orleans base would move to Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Texas.

Retired Marine Maj. Gen. David Mize, who is helping the city prepare for base closures, said he could not find justification in DOD's report for relocating the Marine Forces Reserve to Belle Chasse. The city is hoping to keep NSA open by building a Federal City in Algiers and leasing buildings to the military at low rents.

Mize said Federal City could save the military $276.42 million over 20 years if not more.

A BRAC Commission with the power to take bases off the closure list will meet June 17 with New Orleans officials.