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Show f Hilltop Times June 3, 1993 Continued reductions could hurt capabilities by TSgt. David P. Masko ' . Air Force News Service. : ; 66 r . WASHINGTON As the defense and force the budget grow smaller, materiel organizations will have a harder time supporting the country's warfighting needs. Also, it will be tougher to absorb contingency operations around the world, military logistics chiefs told Congress May 24. The reshaping of defense structure for the post-Col- d War era through and downsizing reducing inventory levels "has had the desired effect, but it's now impacting the warfighting capabilities of our forces," said Gen. Ronald Yates, commander, Air Force Materiel Command. "The congressional emphasis on inventory reduction is understood. We have taken it to heart and have achieved significant reductions," Yates said. "However, we are not sufficiently able to replace condemned parts needed to support our existing The congressional emphasis on inventory reduction is understood. We have taken it to heart and have achieved significant reductions. 99 AFMC commander straints continue, we will see the return of the 'hollow force.'" Sen. John Glenn. chairman, (D-Ohi- Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Readiness and Defense In- frastructure, said the United States' combat capability depends directly, and ultimately, on support from the materiel commands. "Logistics support is a critical element of combat capability," Glenn said. "But as resources to maintain a viable military are reduced, there's going to be a nega--tiv-e effect on readiness." Glenn, a former Marine officer and astronaut, said he learned from experiences after Vietnam that a drawdown must not affect available materiel resources such as spare parts and maintenance support. Glenn said his Senate subcommittee is concerned about negative discussions on Capitol Hill in recent weeks over effects of more defense cuts. Peo Additionally, he said, restrictions limit AFMC's ability to buy consumable repair parts to fix assets at its depots or wings. "Assessments show a potential 6 percent drop in mission capability rates by fiscal 1995-96- , but the drop becomes "greater with each passing year of restrictions,", Yates Said. "We can avoid mission capability drops that will develop starting in the next 12 to 15. months by eliminating the 65 percent limitation we currently experience. If these arbitrary con-- - mrainm go etd cfl V' following Continued from Page brief interview g!.' it 1 : I money to ship things to and from the field," Ross said. Moreover, Yates said AFMC has been assessed a series of significant civilian work force reductions over the last several years in conjunction with the drawdown. "We were able to absorb the first round of cuts by such measures as canceling vacant authorizations, placing surplus employees on other valid positions, and attrition," Yates said. "Unfortunately, due to the magnibelt-tighteni- Gen. Ronald Yates structure." .(2 Command, said funding for fiscal 1993 and 1994 is declining. "Today, we're short of the basic ' ' ple from both the Pentagon and Congress agree "we must avoid the hollow force, which was a problem we found ourselves in after the Vietnam War. "I don't know of anyone who wants to repeat the mistakes of the Vietnam drawdown. But I have to say I have some concerns about statements from the logistics commanders," he said. Although Yates and military leaders from the other materiel commands told lawmakers there are plans to avoid mission capability drops, they are also concerned about the future of certain programs because of reduced funding. "We can't live with this (proposed fiscal 1994) budget very-lon- g ... we can't take it down anymore," said Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Tiebout, deputy chief of staff for Marine Corps installations and logistics. At the same time, Army Gen. Jimmy Ross, commander, Army Materiel tude of the future overstrength pos- ture, AFMC could no longer resolve the problem for fiscal 1994 and beyond. Additional reductions, in excess of projected attrition, were projected for fiscal 1994-95.- " Yates said AFMC was faced with the potential reduction-in-forc- e of apcivilians in 8,400 proximately early fiscal 1994 to meet reduced workload requirements in the He pointed to congressional action that established in fiscal 1993 the Defense Authorization Act for separation bonuses of up to $25,000 as an incentive to civilians who resign or retire. "Approximately 6,440 civilians took advantage of optional retirement, early retirement and voluntary resignation opportunities. This decreased the command's overmanning in the short term and avoided a potential RIF." out-year- s. . '. the ceremony. . The center is poised to meet the challenges it now faces, Lyles said. It it so well situated, in fact, that the tall, slim Washington, D.C. native said a part of himself was disappointed by the recent announcement that the ;Base Realignment and, Closure. Commission would not be looking at Hill in the coming weeks. v "In some ways we wanted them to come here. We were welcoming the opportunity to show them our capabilities," Lyles said. But while the center is in a good position now, Lyles said those at the center need to guard against becoming complacent regarding base closure or competition for workload. Right how morale is up, he said, but added that it can fluctuate rapidly with the changes that DOD is continu- - t center,' .who, at 47, is also one of its General Thompson adds star During his final hour as conv mander of Ogden ALC, Maj. Gen. Dale W. Thompson Jr, became a lieutenant general, prior to assuming duties as vice commander of Air Force Materiel Command. Both Brig. Gen. Lester L. Lyles and CoL Charles Perez have been ally going through. "The best way to keep morale up is to keep the employees involved in the processes," Lyles said. To illustrate why he is particularly excited about taking command of the ALC at Ogden, Lyles told the ceremony audience of a visit he had two years ago with Gen. Ronald W. Yates, then commander of Air Force Systems Command, at Andrews AFB, Md. Utah Department of Transportation continues improvements near Hill Last year the Utah Department of Transportation widened State Road 193 from the South Gate to U.S. Highway 89. This year, improvements will continue. A frontage road will be built to divert traffic youngest. Lyles expressed gratitude to his wife, Mina, and four children, includselected for promotion. Lyles will twin ing daughters who become a major general as comlive at home. "Anything I've done in mander of Ogden ALC and Peres my career, anything I've done in my will become a brigadier life is really because of them." -' general as vice commander. Yates praised both Lyles and former Those promotions will take place commander Lt. Gen. Dale W. Thompson Jr., who now moves on to assume at future dates. duties as vice commander, AFMC. "When I think of people like Dale Yates, now commander of Air Force Materiel Command, shared with Lyles and Les on days such as this, I'm one of his own career goals to com- reminded of something basketball sumand an air logistics center. perstar Larry Bird said: 'A winner is n "And not just any air. logistics someone who recognizes his center, Ogden Air Logistics Center," talents, works .his tail off to develop those talents into skills, and then uses Lyles said. "So I am very proud and very hum- those skills to accomplish those goals.' bled and very honored to realize one of "Today, both Hill AFB and Air General Yates' dreams and a dream of Force Materiel Command are mine," said the 30th commander of the winners." Hilltop Times God-give- around extensive construction at the S.R. 193 U.S. 89 junction. The grade of the road will also be improved on U.S. 89. During excavation of U.S. 89 traffic will still be permitted to flow through the construction zone. Be prepared for delays or consider traveling to Hill AFB another way. To help, UDOT is erecting a signal at the inter "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force Published by M or Media. 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. ld The arjoearance of nrlvprt ispmont a in thia mki;ni,'n 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 the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office by staff. Bldg. 1102, Room 118, Ext. 77321. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air rorce pnotos. - section of Interstate 84 and Riverdale Road, which will allow people to travel from South Weber and South Ogden by using to access M5 and Hill. The signal will remain after construction is accomplished for easier access. Two other signals will help enter and exit the base. The first one will be at the West Gate exits, and the second will be near and S.R. 193. 1-- 1-- 1-- Global Power and Reach for America, " Hill AFB Editorial Brig. Gen. Lester L. LyUt Mai. Wad J. Habshey Gary Hatch Jay Joersz, Valerie Burke, Frances Kosakowsky Staff: Commander, Director, Public Affairs OO-AL- C Editor Staff writers Deadlines! Editorial and "Around the Hill" Kerns, 3 p.m. Tuesday, nine days before publication; sports article, a.m. Monday, week of publication) classified ad, 2 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more information, call tho editor, Ext. |