La Maddalena closing after 35 years

[unhappycamper]

La Maddalena closing after 35 years
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 28, 2008 19:05:09 EST

ROME — The Navy closed its support base on a tiny island off Sardinia on Thursday as part of its overall reshuffling of its military forces in Europe, officials said.

The base employees on La Maddalena island have left, although some may return to help out the Italian navy as it takes over the site, said Scott Campbell, a spokesman at the Navy’s European region office in Italy.

The U.S. opened the base 35 years ago at the height of the Cold War, to provide support for submarine tenders. At its height, it was a support site for 2,600 sailors, civilian employees and their families, the Navy said in a statement.

Washington is closing the base as part of its overall reshuffling of forces in Europe to reflect post Cold War realities.

The last ship based at La Maddalena, the submarine tender Emory S. Land, left the island Sept. 29, along with its 900 crew members. The ship’s home port is Bremerton, Wash.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_lamaddalena_022808/