rapidfire A Change in the Weather W

hile the political debate con- tinues over whether climate change is man-made or the result

of natural variability, the Pentagon is mak- ing plans to deal with its consequences. The changes are gradual but inexorable as some military bases already are feeling the effects of rising tides and droughts. In October 2014, DoD released its Cli- mate Change Adaptation Roadmap, meant to help guide the services in maintaining their ability to operate in the face of mount- ing climate-driven challenges. The report calls climate change a risk to U.S. national security, pointing out it is an immediate threat that requires prompt action. In order to assess the risk, the Gov- ernment Accountability Office studied a sample of 15 military bases in the U.S. and abroad. Some of its findings:  Several Air Force radar early-warning and communication installations on the Alaskan coast are experiencing high levels of erosion that have damaged roads, sea- walls, runways, and other infrastructure. At

one facility, 40 feet of shoreline have disap- peared, destroying half a runway.  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam,

Hawaii, was plagued by 43 straight days of rain in 2008, resulting in mudslides and flooding that damaged base housing and other buildings.  2014 has gone into the record books as the hottest year ever, and the increasing heat caused significant trouble in places such as drought-stricken California. In May 2014, all nonessential personnel were evac- uated from Camp Pendleton as wildfires threatened (above). An increasing number of “black flag” days are curbing training at some bases.  At U.S. Naval Station Norfolk, Va., home to the Atlantic Fleet, sea-level rise is being exacerbated by subsidence — land sinking into the ocean. A study found that a 1.5- to 3-foot rise combined with storms could submerge the base for days or weeks. DoD now is integrating climate-change

considerations into all future planning. — Mark Cantrell

*online: Learn more about the golf classic and its sponsors at www.moaa.org/golfclassic. PHOTO: LANCE CPL. JOSHUA MURRAY, USMC

MOAA TEAMS SUPPORT LOCAL ATHLETIC EVENTS In April, MOAA head- quarters staff partici- pated in and volunteered at the George Washing- ton Birthday Classic 10K Race in Alexandria, Va. “MOAA was a lead sponsor and great participant in this com- munity, veteran-focused event,” said MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), who ran in the race. “I know MOAA is recognized by Mayor Bill Euille and Alexandria as an organization that sup- ports the community and never stops serving.” MOAA also formed a

team in May for the Face of America 100-mile bicycle ride from the Pentagon to Gettysburg, Pa. The team raised over $11,000 for wounded warriors to participate in the cycling event.

GOLF CLASSIC MOAA, its special guests, presenting sponsor Wounded Warrior Proj- ect, and other sponsors hit the links in support of military children at the 12th annual MOAA/Jeff Peck Memorial Golf Clas- sic* May 20 at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, Va. Golfers raised more than $72,000 for the MOAA Scholarship Fund.

JULY 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 23