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Show COLLECTIONS . TT Vol. 47 No. 26 Utah Hill AFB, tors July 1, 1993 7981 ii Georgia St., seriaic 11111 Hilt AFB UT v y ' - 0. 9l 84olfi.ooo?'ass csr? DEpT "NIVERSITV . Closure commission mattes recommendations A Commission makes some major changes to DOD's original list. K 11 aBSKHSSBHKSS3Cri,:""- I " - l MWM 1 '1 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) Despite pleas from military leaders, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission made some major changes to the 1993 recommended list of closures, including realigning instead of closing the hurricane-ravage- d Homestead AFB in Florida. The seven-membcommission also voted to close Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y., which the Air Force had selected for major expansion as the Northeast Air Mobility Wing. The commission instead chose McGuire AFB, N.J., as the expansion site. Additionally, the commission recommended realigning Griffiss AFB, N.Y., and March AFB, Calif., and closing K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mich.; O'Hare International AFRS, Chicago (to be moved elsewhere in Illinois); and Newark AFB, Ohio. The recommendations will now be sent to President Clinton, who has until July 15 to approve or disapprove them. If approved, the recommendations will be sent to Congress, which will have 45 days to approve or disap- - T ' - er Genera tfniiiiii rin Tiirdiinmt r Air ' Richard Ross, electronics technician, Commodities Directorate, changes the infrared Maverick missile, torquer motor in the seeker head of an AGM-6workload. missile is current which tactical part of Hill's 5 prove the entire package. If Clinton disapproves the commission's recommendations, the BRAC can submit another package by Aug. 15. The president will then have until Sept. 1 to disapprove or approve that Lyl es Logistics Center -- Reining in a Maverick list and forward it to Congress. The base closure process for 1993 ends if Clinton doesn't approve the second package. Defense Secretary Les Aspin, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and their chair sets course for Hill's future by Brig. Gen. Lester L. Lyles Commander, Ogden r" - . Though Hill AFB escaped the fate of Tooele in this round of base closure deliberations, we nevertheless will probably lose our tactical missile repair work to the Army. As a taxpayer and a senior officer in the Department of Defense, I fully support the need to reduce the number of military organizations, to consolidate workload, and ultimately, to man told the BRAC June 17 that substitutions could put military capability at risk. Aspin's concern was that significant substitutions by the commission could harm military capabilities by either closing higher value bases or by "diminishing our ability to operate." Aspin's original list, which went to the commission March 12, recommended closing 31 major military installations and realigning 12 others, including seven Air Force sites. Realignment can mean reducing or shifting military offices and assets to other military sites. Aspin also recommended closing, realigning or the disestablishment of 122 other smaller bases and activities. That proposal named Homestead, K.I. Sawyer, Newark and the Reserve unit at O'Hare International Airport for closure and pegged McGuire, March and Griffiss. for realignment. The commission recommended that Hill's tactical missile workload be moved to Letterkenny, Pa. That proposal would affect some 120 positions. Officials at Hill AFB are watching the process closely. "Nothing is official until the list is approved by "the president and Congress," said Len Barry, Hill public affairs spokesman. save precious dollars. However, I feel unequivocally that this tactical missile decision did not go to the organization with the lowest costs, greatest potential for growth, best facilities and best trained work force. In some respects, I feel personally responsible for this negative action because we did not have a Enjoy a safe, fun July 4 chance to adequately convey our strengths to the entire Base Closure and Realignment Commission, rather than the two staffers who visited us. We cannot allow that to happen in 1995! It is expected that the 1995 round of additional military base closures will be even tougher than the one now concluding. Hill AFB, and specifically the Ogden Air Logistics Center, will certainly be considered for closure along with other Air Force depots See Lyles, Page 2, please. U.S. missiles strike Iraq, destroy intelligence building To safely enjoy and celebrate the festivities during the Fourth of July weekend, safety officials suggest you leave the fireworks to the experts by watching one of the many shows in the area. Here are some places, dates and times. South Ogdn Sunday, fireworks at - U.S. WASHINGTON (AFNS) suca launched vessels surface Navy cessful strike on the Iraqi Intelligence Service headquarters building in Baghdad June 26 in what the defense secretary termed a "strong and unmistakable response" by the United States to Iraq's attempt on former President Bush's life in Kuwait in April. After reviewing the evidence, the president ordered the Defense Department to develop a range of possible military responses. He then selected an option that would be targeted directly on the central feature of the agency believed immediately responsible for planning and conducting "this crime," Les Aspin said in a state Friendship Park, 10 p.m. Clearfield Monday, Fisher Park, fireworks display at dusk. Monday, fireworks at dusk. Kaysvill RiverdaU Monday, fireworks at Riverdale Park at dusk, weather permitting. Layton Monday, fireworks at Layton High School, 10 p.m. North Ogden Saturday, fireworks at Weber High School, 10 p.m., weather permitting. Plain City Monday, fireworks at Lee Olsen Park, 10 p.m. Separation incentives The hub Contracting Complex puts many functions under one roof. Page 3 Air Force expands early-ou- t eligibility for officers, enlisted. Page 7 ment issued after the strike. "The assassination attempt was not the act of a small group of people actthe evidence is ing independently conclusive that it is the work of the Iraqi Intelligence Service and is an action that would have had to have been approved at the highest level of the Iraqi government." Twenty of the 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched hit the target, resultdestruction of , ing in the and the director where the the wing of the leadership Iraqi Intelligence Service offices are located, Pentagon near-comple- te officials said. Three missiles landed outside the target in residential areas. Officials See Strike, Page 2, please. Capturing workload Quality the key to competition, commander says. Page 12 |