OCR Text |
Show 2 H.'.'.top Times H Continued from NEWS May 24, 1991 Pogt 1 "That's why, Mr. Chairman, I have underscored the importance of the B-- 2 in my reports, and listed it as my No. 1 modernization priority," General Butler said. "Its revolutionary capabilities ensure the contribution cf the bomber to nuclear deterrence well into the next century. And on the other hand, like the F-- l 17, it has the potential to revolutionize the contribution of air power to conventional war fighting." At previous hearings on Capitol Hill General Butler and other Air Force leaders, including the secretary of the Air Force, have tried to show the importance of the B-- program and explain why it needs to be included in the annual defense authorization bill. Last year, for example, the B-- program was threatened with termination by Congress, which would have stopped B-- production at only 15 aircraft. The money spent so far has developed the plane and bought the first 15, but the Air Force hopes to buy 60 additional Nevertheless, some lawmakers have argued that the plane is too expensive at $860 million per B-and not needed in an era of sweeping international changes. "The B-- is the most controversial weapon system Congress will have to consider," Senator Inouye said. "And some of my colleagues in both houses are vehemently opposed to this. "I question whether we can afford the full production (of 75 airplanes)." The senator did say, however, that he personally favors continued production of the B-- but also believes there are some misconceptions about the bomber's dual role as both a nuclear and conventional platform. 2 2 2 B-2- s. 2, 2 2, Versatile deterrent "Considering that," General Butler said, "for a variety of reasons, over the past 45 years, the inherent conventional role of the bomber has been called upon only episodically. The emphasis has been on its nuclear deterrent role. "While that mission will continue to loom large for years to come, our new military strategy and the changing international security environment signal WMlihiwy - WASHINGTON (AFNS) An amphibious task force, the main body of the U.S. military's disaster relief effort for Bangladesh, arrived May 15 off the coast of that country. The task force for Operation Productive Effort was preceded by Air Force C-which flew in advance and command elements to direct the reliei efforts. As of May 15, about 280 American servicemen and women were assisting in the relief effort. Hundreds of thousands of people died as a result of a typhoon that storm-ravage- 5s d C-14- 1s U.S. Air Fore Photo System of choice The B-- 2 bomber is needed to ensure the technological superiority of the United States's strategic forces. that it is clearly time to reinstitute the full conven- tional capacity of the nation's bomber fleet, especially as its numbers shrink in the years ahead. "The Air Force will need the responsiveness, and flexibility of the B-- with its capability to range the globe from the United States without or support," General Butler said. The can carry a whole host of conventional which weapons give it the capacity to do anything from attack very large areas to launching munitions with great precision against targets of high strategic pay-loa- d 2 precedented in modern warfare." He said the B-- is essentially a large F-- l 17, but can carry five to six times the payload over five to 10 times the range, depending on how many times you want to refuel the airplane. 2 en-rou- te host-natio- n B-- 2 value. "From that perspective, much as our bombers did in the gulf... the bomber platform will always bring a very multifaceted dimension to conventional warfare," General Butler said. "But to do that successfully in the future, it must be able to do it with virtual autonomy." During Desert Storm, F-- l 17 stealth bombers flew 1,300 sorties at night and against hard targets without a loss. They were also the only aircraft to strike in downtown Baghdad. "Stealth is there to give the airplane impunity," General Butler said. , "The F--l 17 went in to bomb targets, and we lost not a single aircraft. That is unheard of, that is un fife its M ft Expect unexpected At the same hearing, General Butler explained that as the CINCSAC, he must still keep a wary eye on the Soviet threat, and must expect the unexpected. The realities are that, now and in the foreseeable future, the Soviet Union will remain the only nation with nuclear forces able to destroy the United States, virtually within 30 minutes, he said. Furthermore, the Air Force must be posed to face "the certain prospect of spontaneous, unpredictable crises that compel immediate responses to secure U.S. lives and interests." SAC's priority will continue to be readiness, because the mission never stops, he said. "Nuclear deterrence is a 365 days-a-yemission. And, conventional power projection andor warfare is something I might be called on to do at any time. The vigilance of SAC must not diminish one iota." ar vfortinfiis ters will be used for initial reconnaissance and delivery of supplies. Other aircraft carrying equipment s and people include two and one from the 353rd Special Operations Wing, Clark AB, Philipfrom the 374th pines, and three Tactical Airlift Wing, Yokota AB, Japan. Four support missions and two C--5 flights have been flown by crews from the 60th MAW. Other Air Force units currently deployed to Bangladesh include the 1363rd Audiovisual Squadron, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and its Detachments 3 and 6 from Japan, and Detachment 7 from HC-130- struck the country April 30, followed by deadly tornadoes days later. Thousands more are homeless as a result of the storms. The Bangladesh government has confirmed that many roads are badly damaged and assistance is needed in the delivery of food, water, medicine and other supplies. Air Force planes began arriving May 11, bringing units from throughout the U.S. Pacific Command. The American assistance to the d country comes as U.S. and allied forces continue setting up refugee camps in northern Iraq for hundreds of thousands of Kurdish refugees left homeless in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War. Operation Provide Comfort began April 7, and aid continues to pour into the northern reaches of Iraq from around the world. The first delivery of equipment included five Army UH-6- 0 Blackhawk helicopters that arrived on a 5 Galaxy from the 60th Military Airlift Wing, Travis AFB, Calif. The helicop C-- storm-ravage- C-1- 30 C-13- C-1- 41 Clark. brie Holiday hours The following activities will change their hours ot operation on Monday, Memorial Day: Youth Activities Center, open 9 p.m., and Hubbard Golf Course, open dawn to dusk. The following activities will be closed Memorial Day: Noncommissioned Officers' and Officers' Clubs, Child Development Center, Thornton Community Center, bowling center, Sports LoanTickets and Tours, Hess Fitness Center, Westside Fitness Center, and the arts and crafts center. The 1-- base library will be closed Saturday through Monday. two-wee- Center lists now hours The Hess Fitness Center's new summer hours will take effect Saturday. The hours are Monday-Fridafrom 6 a.m. to 9 and and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from p.m. Saturday Sunday y Hoy and North gates next week from 5:30-- 8 a.m. and 2:30-- 5 p.m. This is the last of a k test period. If traffic volume warrants, these hours will remain in effect. end Flerfh gczfo hours Security police will extend the hours for the Roy Arts, crafts ontrios on display n Entries in the 1991 contest are on display today at the Thornton Community Center. Local winners will now compete in command-leve- l competition which will be also held at Hill later this year. artist-craftsma- Combat Strength Through Logistic Hilltop Times Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff, Bldg. 1102, Room 118, Ext. 77321. KKI AFB Sectorial Staff t Maj. Gen. Dalt W. Thompson it Commandtr, Lt. Col. Portia R. McCracktn Director, Public Affairs Marilu A. Trainor Chiof, Internal Information OO-AL- C Gary Hatch Editor Debbie Christiansen, Fran Kosakowsky Donna Davis Staff writers Contributing wrHtr CWUnes : Editorial and "around tht hill" Htms, noon wtik before publication; sports art' es, noon Monday, wttk of publication; classified ads, 2 p.m. Wtdntsday, Thursday, ifLP,u.bIication-Fo- 7732177322. f mort '"formation, call tht editors, Exts. |