The White Falcon - 30.03.1990, Side 5

Armed Forces News Briefs
I Cites Soviet Navy Gains
Washington (NNS) — The Soviet Navy continues to make
impressive qualitative gains, even during an era of unrest and uncer-
tainty in the USSR, reported Rear A dm. Thomas A. Brooks, the Direc-
tor of Naval Intelligence (DNI), during testimony before the seapower,
strategic, and critical materials subcommittee of the House Armed
Services Committee March 14.
The DNI highlighted significant Soviet naval gains in 1989 for
naval aviation and in submarine and surface ship construction. Too
much attention, he indicated, has been paid to the disposal of obsolete,
non-operational Soviet equipment, while at the same time the Soviets
continue to develop and acquire sophisticated new submarines, surface
ships, naval aircraft and weapons systems at an undiminished rate.
1989 saw the delivery of the Soviet Navy’s first conventional
aircraft carrier, Tbilisi, which began take off and landing trails with the
USSR’s latest fighter and attack aircraft, the SU-27 “Flanker,” MIG-
29 “Fulcrum” and SU-25 “Frogfoot,” in November.
Two more carriers, Riga and UL’Yanovsk, will start their trials in
1992 and 1996, respectively. The SU-25 “Frogfoot,” SU-24 “Fencer”
and SU-17 “Fitter” fighter-bombers are being assigned to land-based
Soviet naval aviation facilities in increasing numbers.
Four diesel and five nuclear-powered submarines were launched
in 1989. The Soviets also launched a Kirov-Class nuclear-powered
cruiser, two destroyers, a frigate, five corvettes and a large amphibious
warfare ship.
Brooks emphasized that the new submarines are far more effective
h^n the older units they are replacing and projected that the number of
Midem, quiet Akula, Sierra and Victor-Ill class nuclear-powered
TOack submarines could double over the next 10 years.
As has been the case for several years, Soviet naval operations
have primarily been conducted close to home as a result of the widely-
proclaimed Soviet “Defensive Doctrine.”
Several major accidents in 1989, including the April loss of the
only Mike-Class SSN, overshadowed the increasing sophistication of
the Soviet Navy training effort, while there was a reduction in deploy-
ment levels overseas to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; Cuba; Luanda,
Angola; and in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf.
At the same time, however, the Soviet Navy continued its exten-
sive participation in space-related activities and worldwide surveil-
lance systems.
Much of the DNI’s discussion centered on developments in the
rest of the world, where increasing numbers of sophisticated weapons
are becoming widely available to governments and organizations
whose actions and capabilities pose a growing threat to worldwide
stability.
The global weapons proliferation, Brooks pointed out, poses a par-
ticular problem for the U.S. Navy, which must be able to operate freely
around the globe for further U.S. policy objectives.
Soviet exports of high-tech aircraft were cited, as were exports of
weaponry by European, Eastern Bloc and Third World suppliers. A
number of nations continue to pursue a nuclear weapons capability, at
least 12 Third World states have chemical weapons or developmental
programs and others have biological weapons.
The number of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and submarines
is also increasing. In the latter category, over 400 submarines are
operated by 41 nations other than the U.S. and USSR, while 68 nations
deploy anti-ship cruise missiles on a variety of platforms.
The DNI also discussed the destabilizing effects of world peace on
international terrorism and the drug trade, whose actions are often
interrelated and pose a major challenge to U.S. intelligence resources.
Brooks concluded that the tumultuous events of 1989 have produced a
different world, but not necessarily a safer one.
New SRB Levels Announced
Washington (NNS) — The Navy’s latest Selective
Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) award plan was sent to the fleet this week.
The plan adjusts SRB’s based on retention trends, manning levels, and
reflects the increased level of reenlistments.
The new plan includes increases for 50 skills, decreases for 135
skills and 82 skills see no change in bonus levels. The new award level
is effective April 1.
Sailors whose SRB’s decrease from September 1989 levels have
until April 15 to reenlist for the higher bonus.
Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mike Boorda advised if a
sailor already has an SRB reenlistment or extension request approved
by NMPC, but has not yet reenlisted or signed the extension, he or she
can submit a new SRB request for the higher award level.
Keflavik’s Volunteer
This week’s Keflavik Volunteer is Peggy Fletcher who volun-
teers her time to Navy Relief, the Girl Scouts and the Chapel.
As the sole Navy Relief volunteer, Peggy answers phones, pro-
vides financial assistance, offers budget counseling and handles the
various operations of Navy Relief.
Peggy leaves Iceland in June and is currently looking for a
volunteer to assume her duties. “Navy Relief is staffed by 5,000
volunteers and about 350 paid staff,” she said. “It’s a great organi-
zation and we are always looking for volunteers.”
Peggy also teaches second grade CCD classes at the Chapel of
Light and last year her class received first communion from Pope
John Paul H. “You never know what’s going to happen when you
volunteer," the Catholic said of the honor. “Hopefully, the skills you
leam will help prepare you for a paid position in the future.”
She says she enjoys volunteering because of the “nice feeling” she
gets when she helps someone. “Even if I can’t help someone
directly, I try to refer them to someone who can.”
Peggy is in Iceland with her husband Ken and their children:
Elizabeth, 12; Kimberly, 7; and Carl, 2.
March 30,1990
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