By Oct. 1, 2010, there will be no more Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base.

The two bases are combining a lot of services, offices and departments that will produce one hybrid entity: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Resources, property, personnel and authority for installation management functions will be transferred to the Navy as the "lead agency" in the merger, which will start on Jan. 31 and be completed eight months later.

The Navy and Air Force this week finalized a memorandum of agreement setting out the change, which represents one of 12 "joint" bases being created across the U.S. military where two services are in close proximity but have separate operations.

"Through joint basing we will create a better base by combining the best practices of both services and seizing upon opportunities to innovate as we transition," said Col. Giovanni Tuck, commander of the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam.

JOB SECURITY

Job security of affected employees is a key concern in the transition. Even though many services are being consolidated, the Air Force said there are no plans for a reduction in force at the merger startup.

The joint base commander is expected to be Navy Capt. Richard W. Kitchens, the commander of Naval Station Pearl Harbor. The deputy commander is expected to be Air Force Col. Charles Baumgardner, commander of the 15th Mission Support Group at Hickam.

"Col. Tuck and I, along with our staffs, are going about this very carefully, constantly with the mission in mind," Kitchens said. "We will better understand where efficiencies can be gained over time."

One way to do that is to not fill jobs as they open due to retirements and career progression, officials said.

"Instant budget cuts and elimination of jobs are not the goals of this process," Kitchens said.

'MORE EFFICIENT'

According to the Air Force, the following support functions have been considered for transfer: facilities maintenance; utilities; base support vehicles and equipment; public affairs; fire protection and emergency services; information technology; management analysis; protocol; inspector general; postal services; community services; chaplain; environmental services; safety; logistics support; morale, welfare and recreation and child and youth programs; family support services; military personnel; housing; financial management; food services; legal support; procurement operations; and protection support.

No estimate was available yesterday from the military on the number of affected employees.

Agnes Tauyan, a Navy spokeswoman, said cost savings will not be immediately realized, but through consolidating and standardizing, "we will become more efficient through economies of scale."

The Government Accountability Office in March estimated that the government could save $273 million over 20 years by consolidating 26 installations into 12 joint bases.