11.   The auditors were especially critical of recommendations to down-size but not close the five Air Force maintenance depots.

12.   The commissioners were particularly skeptical of U.S. Air Force claims that more money would be saved by shrinking its five maintenance depots than by closing any.

13.   The commission also voted to close the maintenance depot at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif.

14.   The commission itself endorsed a privatization plan for Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, another large maintenance depot marked for closing.

15.   The civilian employees are torn between staying on with a new private employer next year or transferring to another Pentagon maintenance depot to keep their Federal benefits.

16.   This is especially true for laboratories as well as maintenance depots, the report said.

17.   In addition, the defense secretary also is pinning his strategy on savings realized from more base closures, privatizing maintenance depots, and reorganizing and downsizing support functions.