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Show June 3, 1993 3 Hilltop Times force behind readiness puts Pentagon WASHINGTON (AFNS) In an effort to keep the armed forces on the cutting edge of readiness and avoid the "hollow force" of the 1980s, the Defense Department has formed a readiness task force, Pentagon officials said. Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Edward C. Meyer, assigned to the new panel, "sounded the alarm" in 1980 that America had what amounted to a hollow force, undermanned, underled, underpre-pare- d the opposite of the the defense secretary intends to maintain. "Right now we've got the best, most ready force in the world. Operation Desert Storm showed that," Les Aspin told the press at a Pentagon conference May:19. "To keep it that way, we're going to have to do something that has proved very, very difficult in the past, and that is we're going to have to maintain readiness during a major drawdown of our forces." Past drawdowns followed what Aspin termed "hot wars," with, though short, some peaceful breathing spells. The current drawdown comes after the end of the Cold War and "we don't have the luxury of a breathing spell," he said. Aspin said the panel will take a "fresh look" at how readiness is measured. Panel members are Meyer, former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Larry D. Welch, former Southern Command Commander in Chief Army Gen. Max Thur-maformer Assistant Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph J. Went, former U.S. Forces in the Pacific Commander in Chief Adm. Robert Long, former ready-to-fight-for- ce n, defense and the chairman and others when we see things that indicate that problems are over the horizon as far as readiness is concerned," Meyer said. In addition to the active forces, he said the panel will look at the National Guard and Reserve, as well Our job, essentially, as I see is as the which provides support. civilian to wave yellow and red flags across "We have to component ensure that when our forces go overthey're able to operate in conjunction with our the bow of the secretary of defense seas allies. We're not likely to have six months to preand chairman and others when pare them, as we did in Desert Storm, either." The formation of the panel is just one of several we see things indicate steps being taken to make readiness a high priority, said. For example, DOD is ensuring readiness problems are over the horizon as Aspin is adequately funded, and the new assistant secrefar as readiness is concerned. tary of defense for personnel and readiness position will be the single focal point for readiness. "What we need more than anything is some experienced judgment about the readiness of the forces Gen. Edward C. Meyer that go beyond the numbers," Aspin said. Former Army chief of staff Panel members will be expected to give DOD a feel their judgment for how ready the forces are. They will also investigate the possibility of a "readCommanding General of the Army's 7th Corps Gen. iness early warning system." The current rating and Julius Beckton, and former National Guard Bureau reporting systems explain problems after the fact. "We want to know if there are leading indicators Chief Lt. Gen. Herbert Temple. of readiness problems indicators that tell us what While the task force was formed to help the secretary understand readiness issues, it will not take things may need fixing before they are broken," said responsibility away from the services, officials said. Aspin. The panel's work will be ongoing with reports isThe service chiefs will be consulted as the panel draws on all sources when gathering advice for Aspin. sued periodically, officials said. In January the panel "Our job, essentially, as I see it is to wave yellow will report where it is and what needs to be done at and red flags across the bow of the secretary of that time. 66 it the 99 -- News Briefs Closure commission visits Two staff members of the Defense Closure and Realignment Commission will visit Hill AFB Friday afternoon to assess the Ogden Air Logistics Center's tactical missile workload. The members will be evaluating the possibility of consolidating tactical missile workloads at one Defense Department depot. During their short Hill visit, they will receive briefings and be given a tour BORROW UP TO You of relevant areas. More on the visit will be in a future issue of the Hilltop Times. Don't block intersections People departing the base must be sure not to block intersections on or off base when traffic is $200 can .get. CASH . that that with - stopped temporarily. Emergency vehicles have been delayed by vehicles failing to pull over or by blocking intersections. Drivers are asked to look ahead when exiting the gates to see if traffic is stopped temporarily either by security police or by traffic backing up. Officials ask workers to remember that a couple of minutes can make a difference in a lif situation. CASH INSTANTLY! youri personal ii.. i " jg Check tor up IO j insianuyi With our two locations, your not far from IMWAMT CASH1 Check Expressions is here to help you. ana see ior youiseu, come in --J 1 rr nniin iww. 1U5Ii uuu t.:n4U, niciimy acmivc IHiISJa ajCbma J t In and Monday - Thursday 10:00 A.M. 3 SAk 9 ui at any oC Wwi gturday J 5:00 P.M. 10:00 A.M. -- 2:00 S3 lEX2$!ESSi CttECX 713 No: Main Lavton 546-277- 8 n siiiiiiiiii! 5633 So. 1 900 West : I!!II!!lSS!!lI!!!!!llIIillIIIlIiIllIH Rov 825-644- 5 ..t? |