OCR Text |
Show Page 6 HILL TOP TIMES May 1, 1981 Editorials MX will ires to ire on yc Be si ir lbiDim)ce "Dramatic increases in the numbers and accuracy of the Soviet in- tercontinental ballistic missile arsenal are severely eroding the survivability ICBM force," Brig. of our land-baseGen. James P. McCarthy told Air Force News Service in Washington. General McCarthy, special assistant for MX matters, deputy chief of staff d for development and acquisition, said , "The threat to our research, ICBM force is real and growing. Under certain conditions of Soviet attack, we stand to lose up to 90 percent of our Minuteman and Titan ICBMs. This makes deployment of the MX missile all the more imperative. "During the middle part of the 1980s the land based missile force will be vulnerable to an attack from Soviet missiles which have greatly improved accuracy. If we don't do something to correct this situation by the end of the decade, we will possibly lose a leg of the strategic nuclear triad. "The concept of deploying the MX in -- multiple protective shelters was developed after many years of study and analysis during which many alternatives were examined. This system, planned for deployment in 1986, will provide a lasting, survivable deterrent that will restore the triad and the nuclear balance," he stated. The general explained that the MX' is in the second year of engineering development. This is primarily a testing phase of the program. For example, rocket-engintest firings have been conducted over the past several months with additional full-scal- e e tests set for later this year. The MX draft environmental impact on and statement selection deployment-are- land . a with- drawalacquisition is now being reviewed by the public. 'The public comment period will end today. We plan" to be able to analyze the comments and publish the final environmental impact statement time frame," in the General McCarthy said. He explained that the final environmental impact statement will be a key input to the decision on where to deploy MX. The full system will be deployed in Nevada and Utah, or in New Mexico and Texas or be split based. "Split basing means you would deploy a part of the system in each of the states. You would have 100 missiles and 2,300 shelters in Nevada- Utah, and the other half of the system in Texas and New Mexico. "Whichever option is selected, we plan to have two main operating bases. In addition, there will be four or five area support centers. These are small installations with about 300 people stationed there on a temporary basis. This is where the maintenance and operations people will work from," he said. ICBMs are an 'The of our strategic element irreplaceable nuclear deterrent. Timely deployment of the highly capable MX in a survivable basing mode will preserve and enhance the value of our ICBMs," said General McCarthy. i July-Augu- The MX transporter, shown in this artist's concept, will carry the missile between shelters. Fully loaded, it will weigh about 1.2 million pounds. (U.S. Air Force Photo) (AFNS) st T Hi.ckeirs.oini reflects ira 'si 9 irecif if e' D (Editor's Note: When SMSgt. Martin R. Hickerson, superintendent of nursing services at (JSAF Hospital, Hill, reenlisted, he thought about his decision and wrote the following article after reflecting on his Air Force years.) The decision to reenlist, rather than retire, came after much deliberation and research into the prospects of changing careers. I thought about the past 20 years, -- enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1961 and considered how the Air Force has changed during that time. Consider the area ot pay and benefits. Although we have had some lean times, the Air Force family today is well compensated. Thanks to the efforts of senior military leaders who spoke out strongly in our behalf, our pay, through the projected pay raises will again be close to that of our counterparts in the civilian community. Sure, we lose some when we go PCS, but the shortcomings of our pay and allowances are certainly compensated for by another major factor: job security. since land-base- d I . land-base- d (AFNS) Grass not always greener I've spoken to many retirees, people . who came in shortly before me, and many of them find the job market to be increasingly competitive. The grass is not always greener on the other side. I'm proud to have been a part of an Air Force which has had such a tremendous social impact on the country. Our technical training system has served as a role model for many technical and vocational training programs throughout the country. We've trained and educated This artist's concept shows MX missile launch from its cannister. Two hundred missiles and 4,600 horizontal shelters are scheduled to be in operation by theendof 1989. (U.S. Air Force Photo) thousands of young people, many of them going back into society-afar better people than when they enlisted with us. Our own people are of a very high quality. user or patron. A confirmed violation or Everything advertised in the Hill Top Times must be made available for purchase, use or rejection of this policy of equal opportunities by .an advertiser, will, result. in (he jefusal to print patronage without, regard, to, the. race,, creed color,' national origfn Of sex'6f 'the purchaser; Y, 'A' advertising' fro'rh that source.'' . V. ' S 'VVv ry s ..... 'J- Our active role in social actions, equal opportunity and treatment and human relations has done a great deal toward changing attitudes, deterring racial and sex discrimination and thus making our society just that much better. ' I've watched the progress of the enlisted force over the past 20 years and am proud. We've gone from being "stupid, but cunning and sly" to a well educated, motivated highly professional group. Every time I attend an NCO Leadership School graduation, I'm proud to watch our quality people receiving such quality training. We are good and we're getting better, thanks to professional military education and our overall emphasis on increasing our educational level through the Community College of the Air Force. Benefits still considerable considered all the other "benefits" we still have. Although we may have lost a few minor benefits over the years, those remaining are considerable. , I considered our medical care, CHAMPUS, legal assistance, comrecreation services, missaries, B-Red Cross and Air Force Assistance Fund services, education and on and on and on. Finally, I considered my job. Clearly and simply, like my job, so why I have a small but clear role in change? Air Force mission, I'm able to deal the I 1 with my superiors, peers and subordinates on a mature, intelligent and professional level. As a manager, I derive a great deal of personal satisfaction from my dealings with people and getting the job done'. ' t So I'm well satisfied with the past 20 years and I'm looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the next ten. It's a great way "of life. MorMedia Sales, Inc., 1152 West Riverdale Road. OnHpn ritsth RAAm Dknna 'JQI OCRK bv mail onlv Send s3 to Sorry, pi o. .23 ,Royf Oa 84067; ' |