Strong Spirit
"No military authority I know of argues that the twenty-one
B-2s currently approved and funded represent an adequate modern
bomber force. Secretary of Defense [William J.] Perry and Air
Force Chief of Staff [Gen. Ronald R.] Fogleman are both on record
that more B-2s are desirable but precluded by budget constraints.
I simply cannot agree with the premise that a $250 billion annual
defense budget cannot accommodate what is clearly our most capable
and reliable deep-strike weapon. It is instructive to note that
the cruise missiles used to strike Iraq [in September 1996] cost
approximately $70 million. Two B-2s could have delivered thirty-two
precision bombs (having much better accuracy) costing only $6
million--and future precision guided bombs will lower the cost
for such a mission to just $600,000. If not for a slow and cumbersome
procurement process, we could have these cheaper precision guided
bombs today. This is exactly the kind of leverage a capable and
reusable platform like the B-2 offers."
Rep. Newt Gingrich (D-Ga.), Speaker of the House,
in a September 16, 1996, letter to President Clinton supporting
procurement of B-2 Spirit bombers beyond the twenty-one currently
programmed.
Assume Nothing
"Europeans should never take for granted American interest
in participating in European security. There is a strong streak
of isolationism in the United States. For the last fifty years,
we have suppressed that streak. . . . We, as Americans, have
to continue to work to suppress that isolationist streak. You,
as Europeans, also have to work at maintaining our involvement."
Defense Secretary Perry, in September 24, 1996, remarks
to a European defense seminar in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The "Crucial" F-22
"This bill makes good on our pledge to keep our armed forces
the best-trained, best-equipped fighting force on Earth. It carries
forward our modernization programs by funding crucial weapon
systems, such as the F-22."
President Clinton, in a September 23, 1996, statement
at the signing of the Fiscal 1997 defense authorization bill.
Warning Did Exist
"Intelligence did provide warning of the terrorist threat
to US forces in Saudi Arabia. As a result, those responsible
for force protection had both time and motivation to reduce vulnerabilities.
However, it was not enough. Tactical details were needed, and
they could only have been provided by human intelligence."
Gen. Wayne A. Downing, USA (Ret.), in a September
16, 1996, news briefing at the release of the report on the June
25 bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.
The Last of Tailhook?
"I attended Tailhook . . . in 1990 and 1991 in my official
capacity as assistant chief of Naval Personnel for Distribution.
We, the leadership of naval aviation, including myself, permitted
an atmosphere to exist wherein bad things could happen and did
happen. . . . While I can't change the past, I can and I did
learn from it, and so did the rest of the Navy. I was cautioned
by the Secretary of the Navy for not being proactive in monitoring
the conduct of junior officers and not taking effective action
to prevent misconduct at Tailhook. . . . I believe very strongly
that [the caution] brings me strength. . . . I regret, as I said
in my opening statement, every day that we got ourselves into
a situation where we have to be still talking about Tailhook.
There was a fundamental flaw in all of us as leaders to allow
that to happen."
Adm. Jay L. Johnson, in July 31, 1996, testimony
before the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination
to become the US Navy's new Chief of Naval Operations.
The Age of Info-Dangers
"During the last fifteen years, we have experienced at least
three major information revolutions--each introducing unique
security problems--with additional revolutions expected into
the indefinite future. The personal computer revolution begat
viruses passed by floppy disk or downloaded from bulletin boards.
The widespread explosive growth of the Internet brought greatly
increased hacking, and its related 'packet sniffers' and 'packet
spoofers,' that easily crossed international and organization
boundaries. The World Wide Web phenomenon, with its browsers
and the Java language and 'applets,' is promoting the use of
downloadable, executable code from strangers, while bypassing
normal fire-wall protections--a combination that is ripe for
exploitation by malefactors."
Robert H. Anderson, head of Rand Corp. Information
Science Group, in June 25, 1996, testimony to the Senate Governmental
Affairs Committee.
Hussein's New Strength
"In general, I believe that Saddam Hussein's position has
been strengthened in the region recently. Why? First, six years
of containment and sanctions have failed to dislodge Saddam Hussein
from leadership. Second, Saddam Hussein still has the possibility
of threatening his neighbors. . . . Third, there is a perception
of weakened determination of the coalition to meet Iraqi aggression.
. . . Fourth, [there is] Turkey's apparent willingness to deal
more directly with Saddam. . . . Finally, Saddam Hussein has
cleverly parlayed concerns about relief to UN Resolution 986,
which will permit Saddam to export oil, . . . and hopes to gain
a collapse of the sanctions. . . . All of these factors contribute
today to a strengthened position for Saddam Hussein in the region."
CIA Director John M. Deutch, in September 19, 1996,
testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Copyright by Air Force Association.
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