A recap of types and quantities of aircraft planned to be located upon and operated from Johnston Island is 15 B-57F, 4 B-57C, 12 CH3, 2 H-13/H-34, 2 C-118, 1 C-130, 1 C-130 (air snatch), 3 F-8, 12 P2/P3, in addition to MATS and itinerant aircraft. Thus during the entire execute phase of a nuclear test program the airfield would be categorized as a high density traffic area. It must be emphasized that the precise timing involved in airborne diagnostic arrays plus the costly and specialized configuration of B-57C and B-57F aircraft dictate that operational and safety planning factors exceed those permissible for routine aircraft operations, because the most critical operations are conducted at night with the associated increase in accident and incident probability. Fire station ($350,000) Replacement and relocation of the fire station is urgently required for two primary reasons. First, and most important, in its present location only 200 feet from the edge of the runway it is a distinct hazard to aircraft operating on the runway and becomes increasingly more so as larger and heavier aircraft operate at Johnston Island. This structure located close alongside the midpoint of the runway represents an obstacle which greatly increases the extent of damage probability in any aircraft accidents wherein an aircraft might veer off the runway during landing or takeoff. The minimum acceptable clear zone usually required on each side of runways is 500 feet. In addition, an aircraft collision with the fire station would by itself destroy the island's capability to fight the fire likely to result from such an accident. There is considerably increased utilization of Johnston Island by aircraft en route to and from the Far East in support of Vietnam. (Number of flights using the island is classified.) Such traffic differs from that normally occurring at the island in that aircraft are taking off under maximum gross load conditions with full loads of ammunition and other hazardous cargoes, and the need for adequate firefighting facilities, sited in a safe location, becomes far more important than ever before. The second reason requiring replacement of the present facility is that it is completely inadequate for present firefighting operations on the island. The present facility provides shelter for only three pieces of equipment, whereas five major pieces and two auxiliary administrative pieces have been authorized and are either on hand already or under procurement. These all will require shelter from the corrosive atmospheric effects which prevail in the marine environment on the island. In addition, significant savings could be achieved in fire protection costs by providing a facility permitting the two-platoon system considered standard fire station operating procedure. The present facility does not provide sleeping space nor other accommodations necessary for 24-hour-shift operation. The procedures in use are makeshift and seriously lessen the promptness and effectiveness of the department in responding to a major fire. Modification of theater to provide briefing room and chapel ($85,000) Facilities are required to brief large groups. Many of the planned test events have as many as 70 different laboratories-agencies participating in the experiAt the technical certification readiness briefings which will be held on Johnston Island, each of the participating laboratories-agencies will have several representatives in attendance. Meteorological data for Johnston Island shows monthly precipitation in excess of 3 inches for 5 months out of the year. The only existing facility where briefings of such large groups could be conducted is the existing outdoor theater. A roof over this theater would provide a proper briefing facility where large groups could be assembled for routine or operational briefings. This construction will permit the alternate use of this facility as a chapel during test periods. It is the only facility on Johnston Island which will satisfy this requirement during test periods. MATS passenger and airfreight facilities ($98,000) Although Johnston Island is a restricted and isolated facility, it is on the main air route of travel to and from Kwajelein and Eniwetok Islands, which are major research activities of the Department of Defense. Personnel stationed and visiting these sites pass through Johnston Island. During the past 14 months an average of 2,503 passengers per month have passed through the Johnston Island terminal. Aircraft transiting Johnston Island en route to Vietnam have very recently placed additional loadings on the existing deteriorated facilities (number of flights classified). The aircraft transporting these and other per sonnel are on the ground normally for 2 to 3 hours at Johnston Island, during which time passengers must disembark while refueling and maintenance activities take place. A secure detention area must be provided to prevent these people from having access to classified activities and facilities on Johnston Island. It is also necessary to segregate personnel arriving and departing Johnston Island during the necessary processing procedures incident to their travel. The wood-frame central portion of the existing terminal was estimated 1 year ago to require $54,500 to rehabilitate it to continue its present use. The quonset huts on either side of the central frame building are in such a state of corrosion and deterioration that replacement of the required metal parts would in itself amount to replacement of the complete facility and would involve greater labor and material expense than would complete demolition and replacement. Recreational facilities-Swimming pool ($359,000); bowling alley ($271,000) Because of the magnitude of the construction program required to achieve a readiness posture by January 1, 1965, attention was directed toward only those projects which had to be completed by the readiness date. Although a need existed for recreational facilities, it was not felt to be as urgent as getting the necessary scientific and operational facilities ready should resumption of testing be directed. Further, the intense interest in construction reduced the need for off-duty activities. Now that a readiness posture has been achieved it is necessary that these facilities be maintained in a high state of readiness. This requires that a population varying between 1,400 and 1,800 men remain at this isolated location of less than 640 acres. In addition to being very small and confining, tight security measures control all visitors. Female visitors are not permitted and no USO-type entertainment is even possible. The danger of sharks, which are attracted by the smaller fish which in turn are attracted by the edible refuse discharged by the sewage system, deny swimming in the surf. A recent count made by helicopter disclosed over 200 sharks visible in the water immediately surrounding Johnston Island. The bowling alley complements the swimming pool to meet the varied needs of the population and to provide physical recreation during both day and evening hours. The crowded housing conditions and the small size of the island, almost barren of vegetation or other relieving features, together with the absence of the entertainment and recreational outlets usually found in communities surrounding military installations, all contribute to the sense of isolation. Altogether they create an environment for which adequate on-site recreational facilities are essential to proper morale and welfare, particularly during the present period when the maximum workweek for hourly labor is limited to 54 hours. HOUSE REPORT STATEMENT Page 29 in the House Report No. 738 on the military construction appropriation bill 1966 to accompany H.R. 10323: "Funds approved by the committee provide for essential facilities in support of the Defense Atomic Support Agency." "The amount of $2 million is approved for additional shoreline protection for the Defense Atomic Support Agency installation at Johnston Island Air Force Base. Additional recreational and support facilities at this installation are denied." DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, DEFENSE ATOMIC SUPPORT AGENCY, Washington, D.C., August 7, 1965. Memorandum for: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Budget). Subject: Reclama to House action on section IV, military construction budget, fiscal year 1966. 1. Reclama to the House action denying additional recreational and support facilities at Johnston Island is attached. 2. I have personally reviewed the need for each line item in the fiscal year 1966 military construction program for Joint Task Force 8 at Johnston Island, as has the task force commander. I am convinced that there is a valid operational requirement for each item submitted with this reclama. I specifically include the two recreational facilities as necessary because of the direct relation of morale of the island population to the ability of the force to maintain test readiness and to support the increasing traffic to southeast Asia. 3. I recommend that reinstatement of each of these items be supported. H. C. DONNELLY, Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force, Director. Senator STENNIS. At this point we will go into executive session. (Whereupon, at 12:10 p.m., the subcommittee went into executive session.) INDEX WITNESSES AND STATEMENTS Alaska Pipeline Co., Houston, Tex--. Arms, Richard E., director of planning, Arlington County, Va Bartlett, Hon. E. L., U.S. Senator from Alaska__. Page 782, 783 849 719, 754 Bennett, Rear Adm. Fred G., U.S. Navy, Assistant Comptroller, Director of Budget and Reports, Department of the Navy-. Bennett, Hon. Wallace F., U.S. Senator from Utah.. 293 68 Berman, Comdr. Paul P., U.S. Naval Reserve, Assistant for Military Construction, Naval Reserve, OCNA____ 572 Blake, Lt. Gen. Gordon A., Director, National Security Agency. 496 Boland, Hon. Edward P., U.S. Representative from Massachusetts---- 810, 816 726, 784 487 Brown, Capt. Harrison, U.S. Navy, Deputy Director of Naval Communications--- 425 Brown, Dr. Harold, Director, Research and Development, Department of 687 Broyhill, Hon. Joel T., U.S. Representative from Virginia. 848 824 Campbell, Joseph P., Comptroller General of the United States, Washington, D.C___‒‒. 812 Clark, Hon. Joseph S., U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania_ Clarke, Maj. Gen. Frederick J., Director, Military Construction, Office of 833 543, 549, 643 Conte, Hon. Silvio O., U.S. Representative from Massachusetts814 Corradi, Rear Adm. Peter, U.S. Navy, Civil Engineer Corps, Chief of Bureau of Yards and Docks_. 292, 365, 382, 412, 422, 429, 432 Crowell, H. Harland, past president, Virginia Board of Realtors, Arlington, Va____ 871 Curtin, Maj. Gen. R. H., Director, Civil Engineering, U.S. Air Force--- 41-281 Dawalt, Brig. Gen. K. F., Deputy Director (O. & M.), Defense Atomic Support Agency- 474 Deininger, W. R., Chief of Reserve Forces and Facilities Division, Office, 569 Douglas, Hon. Paul H., U.S. Senator from Illinois_-_ 821 Dunn, Stephen F., president, National Coal Association__ 720 Ensey, Vice Adm. Lot, U.S. Navy, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and 288 Fenlon, Col. James W., Office of Civil Engineering, Air Force_-_ 54-281 834 823, 826 Gilbert, Raymond, supervising principal of schools, Bucks County, Pa‒‒‒‒ 825 Ginn, Capt. W. N., U.S. Navy, Director, Navy Industrial Facilities Division, Bureau of Ships__ 312 Goldstein, Albert, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. General Accounting 765 Gosnell, Fred A., Jr., president, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington, Va___ 873 Groom, J. Fuller, Committee on Arlington Hall for Arlington, Arlington, 840 Gruening, Hon. Ernest, U.S. Senator from Alaska. 801 Heard, John, Director of Construction, Deputy Assistant Secretary of 500 Heaton, Lt. Gen. Leonard D., the Surgeon General of the Army. Page 680 556 286, 289-471, 572 Hull, Rear Adm. Harry, U.S. Navy, Director of Shore Activities, Develop- Jarboe, Col. W. E., Office, Director of Plans and Hospitalization, U.S. 264 130, 202, 211, 249 Johnson, Col. W. R., Chief, Construction Division, Office, Deputy Chief of 589-609 Kennedy, Hon. Edward M., U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Manning, Lt. Col. S. W., Office, Director of Civil Engineering, U.S. Marshall, Lt. Col. Donald S., Office of Chief of Reserve Components, Matheson, Hugh J., general manager, Evan Jones Coal Co., Anchorage, Marshall, Capt. J. M., U.S. Navy, Head, Family Housing Branch, Shore 572 -- 736, 800 550 Mayer, Andrew C., Assistant General Counsel, Office of Secretary of 498 McCarty, Robert L., McCarty & Wheatley, counselors at law, Washington, D.C‒‒‒‒ 745 McDonald, Col. James B., Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Division of Civil 575 Miller, Hon. Jack, U.S. Senator from Iowa. 710 Montoya, Hon. Joseph M., U.S. Senator from New Mexico_. 873 720 713 875 Moure, Roger J., executive director, Northern Virginia Apartment Owners, 851 Pollich, Capt. G. T., U.S. Navy, Staff Director, Installations and Services, 479 Raby, Albert, Jr., Assistant Counsel, Headquarters, Defense Supply 764 Reed, John J., Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Family Housing). 508 710 820 819 757 Schoemann, Peter T., general president, United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, Washington, D.C. 775 Scott, Hon. Hugh, U.S. Senator from Pensylvania. 833 23, 473 Shuler, Maj. Gen. W. R., Director for Installations, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Army 578-707, 786 Sproull, Dr. R. L., Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency. 493 760, 780 Tower, Hon. John G., U.S. Senator from Texas- 364 Tyler, Maj. Gen. Paul, U.S. Marine Corps, Quartermaster General, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps--- 402 Union Oil Co. of California, Los Angeles, Calif 781 Van Scoyac, Millwood W., president, Van Scoyac & Wiskup, Inc., public utility consultants, Washington, D.C___ 740 Wilson, Maj. Gen. Winston P., Chief, National Guard Bureau. 573 Wood, Col. Edwin A., Office, Director of Maintenance Engineering, U.S. 132, 150 |