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Show r. v. C7C7 P toug i06ma com&at $twwct K3 Cay - iwHO 14 Vol. 45 No. 22 0 Cm n CO trsri'D l"" Hill AFB, Utoh B Juno 7, i - ttt'' DlJg tU3trQ7 i if p .: pU(on ry HI y -- ' r L Hood by SSgt. Sarah Air Force News Service COLORADO SPRINGS, Cola-Halt- ing rapid production of conventional and unconventional weapons in the Middle East while supporting legitimate needs for is the aim of President Bush's new Mideast arms control initiative. Discussions with governments inside the region and elsewhere about how to slow and then reverse the buildup of unnecessary and destabilizing weapons resulted in the president's initiative, made public May 29 at the Air Force Academy self-defen- se graduation. "Nowhere are the dangers of the weapons of proliferation more urgent than in the Middle East," said President Bush in his commencement address to 979 graduates. Reaching these goals "will require the cooperation of many states in the region and around the world," he said. "It won't be easy, but the path to peace never is." The new arms control initiative covers supplier guidelines on conventional arms exports and barriers on exports on parts for weapons of mass destruction. It calls for a freeze now, followed by a ban on e production of nuclear weapons material and missiles in the Middle East. "As superpower polarization and conflict melt, military thinkers must focus on more volatile regimes regimes packed with modern weapons and seething with ancient ambitions," the president said. "We are committed to stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. But there is a danger that despite our efforts, by the end of this century nearly two dozen developing nations could - 1 jr....- - n See Plan, U S, J Ar Fofte ftwto by Georg VKtton Compass points to quality Howard Sorensen, an instrument repair mechanic with the Commodities Directorate, is shown overhauling a compass transmitter unit. Please see related photo story, Page 8. " . w Uet Open the0g- pr- - "Tuonts. Coinin- g- many d F y'ted rm have fghonor, Pnts. 1 to22Tn achieving 01 very f Haro. " . d,ees Cve enthusi driven ?. Management alongJhe . -- orsonal uy uve been " u. troent - 01 way9 lms - tnes ,nnd r li: einp f suCcesses xneiuuc r ...pd and .nps8. rornu1C- ideas io . Pe:Vwo evaluate ryimP - Aj0n ..ovisiteayr; pledge pr0vemenv "ary that r,nt totauy ritactiveUs encou.- --- - Mr r 0r the Bn7 - twestiUhave nnv opp01 are Force .u-M- ork o rnt- . toutogeo surface-to-surfac- have ballistic missiles." With the world changing, Mr. Bush feels the military must evolve and change with it. Last year he announced a shift in the nation's defense focus away from old threats and toward the dangers to be faced in the years to come. "We need a more agile, flexible military force that we can put where it is needed, when it is needed," the president said. Defense spending will drop to below 4 percent of the gross national product in the years ahead the lowest level in more than 50 years. "Although we developed this budget before the ssmf.- - .....1V.rl:i: plementau- u- P ntJt)iauds arirSvoWement. This -- Mo. Gen; are gau so Page 2, please. Competition assures best value to Air Force by Donna Davis Hilltop Times staff writer Competition is a way of performing the Air Force mission in spite of challenges such as budget and personnel reductions, said J. J. Welch, assistant secretary of the Air Force. Brent Kendall, chief, Competition Advocacy, agrees that effective competition early in the acquisition cycle results in dollar benefits. "From the time a decision is made to acquire a new weapons system, we need to be proactive in developing competitive options for supporting the system," Mr. Kendall said. Strategies for optimizing the advantages of competition include develop- ing new sources and removing existing impediments to competition. "One typical impediment is missing or illegible data. Technical data about the item is key when complete manufacturing specifications are missing, it is extremely difficult to develop new sources," said Mr. Kendall. Effective competition assures that the Air Force receives quality goods and services at the most advantageous price. "Multiple sourcing lessens the impact of contractors who discontinue manufacturing a needed item, go out of business, or who are terminated," he said. This year's competition goals also dustry creativity and innovation," said Mr. Welch, who declared "Competing for Quality" as the competition theme for ficsal 1991. "Competition does provide for in- creased quality in goods and services," said Maj. Michael Esher, chief of See Competition, Buy bonds UUczo closures Customers will benefit include the increased use of quality factors, such as contractor past performance, in the selection of contractors. "Our acquisitions should encourage in- Six added to preliminary list Invest in America IS r k' A Page 2, please. |