The White Falcon - 17.09.1993, Síða 4

Secretary of the Navy reviews Bottom-Up Review
Washington, D. C. (SECNAV) — The
Bottom-Up Review (BUR) results repre-
sent the culmination of an unprecedented
collaborative effort to redefine U. S. de-
fense strategy, force structure and mod-
ernization programs in view of the dy-
namic changes in the global security envi-
ronment. With the end of the Cold War
and the decline of a global threat, the
Department of Defense (DoD), in close
coordination with the services and the
Joint Staff, has analyzed the dangers posed
in this new era, developed a new military
strategy and developed plans to restruc-
ture our forces and defense programs.
The BUR highlights the pivotal role the
Department of the Navy will play in the
execution of the new defense strategy. In
Keeping with the essence of “...From the
Sea,” the Navy/Marine Corps team will
maintain its unique capability to provide a
flexible forward presence and when nec-
essary project power into regions impor-
tant to our national interests. The BUR
reconfirms the rationale for the Naval force size and the validity of the
Naval service’s current strategy “...From the Sea.”
The potential threats in the post Cold-War world considered in the
BUR focus on the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of
mass destruction, regional aggression, threats to democratic reform in
the former Soviet Union and elsewhere, and economic dangers to our
national security. Our strategy to address these dangers is one of
sustained international engagement, partnership and prevention. Naval
forces will be center stage in this strategy.
Throughout the BUR, working with the DoD team we have aimed
to achieve a defense establishment that is properly shaped and sized
in the post Cold War period and into the next century. Guided by the
principles of keeping our forces ready to fight, maintaining techno-
logical superiority, and above all, maintaining the professionalism of
our people, it offers a sound strategy for preserving or making peace
in a still unstable world. It validates the force structure needed to fight
and win two nearly simultaneous major regional contingencies, and
to maintain overseas presence as a cornerstone of our national
security strategy.
The BUR has determined that Navy forces to meet the require-
ments of the new strategy will include 11 active and one reserve air-
craft carriers, with 1,
active and one r<
serve air wings; 1
ballistic missile sub-
marines; about 55 at-
tack submarines; and
surface ships to total
about340battle force
ships. Marine Corps
forces to meet the re-
quirements will con-
sist of three Marine
Expeditionary
Forces with an active
end strength of
174,000 and a re-
serve component of
one division, one
wing and one force
service support
group with an end
strength of 42,000.
The BUR establishes
an important new
theater ballistic missile defense mission for the Aegis cruisers and
destroyers and endorses our program to move ahead smartly on the F/
A-18E/F. It establishes a follow-on joint advanced technology pro-
gram which will lead to important jointly developed and firndi
Navy/Marine/Air Force tactical airplanes for the future.
The BUR will materially contribute to good stewardship of tax-
payer dollars and the economic health of our nation by ensuring the
most efficient use of resources and the most cost-effective responses
to our nation’s defense needs. With prudent investment in moderni-
zation, pursuit of key advanced technologies, and a long-term com-
mitment to streamlining the acquisition system, we can hope to
achieve more return on scarce resources. Put simply, the BUR
prescribes the right forces for the new times.
Finally, I want to assure all sailors and Marines that the decisions
made have reflected the President’s direction that people remain the
top priority. The BUR recognizes the demands which will be placed
on our people in the new era of smaller forces and continuing
contingency operations around the globe. It clearly establishes that
the key to our future lies in the retention of our best and brightest. The
BUR balances deployment tempos and other key quality of life
programs to ensure that we continue to keep the faith.
»
iu-
ed^^
Military pay raise
expected in Jan.
Ramstein Air Base, Germany (AFNS) — Military
members are going to receive a pay raise Jan. 1, according
to Ike Skelton, Democratic Representative for Mo., House
Armed Services Committee member and Chairman of the
Forces and Personnel Subcommittee.
Skelton brought news of the pay raise during a recent
visit to several U. S. military facilities in Europe. “It’s
going to happen,” said Skelton. “If you’re in uniform, the
first of the year you can expect a 2.2 percent pay raise. I
don’t expect anyone in Congress or the Administration
will be an obstacle.”
Cub Scouts to start up soon
All boys in grades one through five, who have not
reached their 10th birthday prior to Jan. 31,1994, may
register for the Cub Scouts Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. in the A.
T. Mahan Elementary School’s Multi-purpose room. A
Pack meeting will follow at 7 p.m. Refreshments and
snacks will be available. For more information, call
Ozzie or Barb at ext. 6703 or 4833, respectively.
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The White Falcon