Climate Change and the Air Force’s Critical Need for Facilities’ Modernization Via Proposals for Top-Down Action with Both Environmental and Procurement Measures
Open Access DepositedA National Security Threat Without Borders
The American military has recognized “climate change” as a national security threat. Over the past three decades, many military installations across the continental United States experienced infrastructure damage, personnel evacuations, and millions (or billions) of dollars in rebuilding or reparation costs. This paper argues that most facilities on military installations are woefully unprepared for the impacts of climate change. To expedite action, a focus on expanding Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for infrastructure-related procurement is necessary, as are specific measures, mandates, and responses. To illustrate, the paper examines recent devastating extreme weather events across specific Department of the Air Force (DAF) installations located in Florida and California. The paper refers to several studies and reports on infrastructure aging, exposure to increased climate change dangers, and some examples of sustainable procurement implemented by installations primarily after an extreme weather event. A discussion follows of recent years’ laws on environmental response, with a focus on the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs) and specific provisions for infrastructure, facility, and related environmental measures for Department of Defense (DoD) implementation. The NDAAs and other sources note the spending limitations for many of these measures, where applicable. This paper also highlights various DoD and Department of the Air Force (DAF) directives, plans, and spending behavior, with a focus on the limited use of OTA for facilities and infrastructure modernization. Finally, this thesis proposes top-down solutions for quick procurement and the broadening use of OTAs, available to Congress, the President, DoD, DAF, and individual installation commanders, where able.
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