extremely hazardous, with icing conditions and restricted visibility during severe storms. The second item is a repetitive item for a base warehouse. was replacement in connection with the earthquake damage. This Senator CANNON. This is the one that you said you reduced in size. General CURTIN. Yes, sir. I was talking from memory at the time. I said it was 200,000. I think it was actually 232,000 square feet-destroyed, according to my notes-built in 1952 at an original cost of $2.2 million. This was studied in considerable detail, and this was one of the reasons it was put in this program as opposed to going under the emergency package. Senator CANNON. All right, sir. Colonel FENLON. The third item provides for the alteration of a major command headquarters building to provide an adequate command and control center. The existing facility cannot adequately accommodate the requirements for communications and high-speed data processing equipment. This project will provide adequate space for essential equipment and a conference and briefing warroom adja cent to the command control center. The fourth item is a repetitive item. It is an addition to the commissary. The fifth item provides for the alteration of six boilers from coal to natural gas and oil combination units to effect larger savings in heat and power production at Elmendorf. A reliable source of natural gas has been developed and has been delivering gas to the Anchorage area for over a year. Through this conversion it is estimated that the cost of this project will be amortized in a little over 1 year. Senator CANNON. Do I understand you are going to submit a rather complete statement on this particular point? General CURTIN. We can, Mr. Chairman. I have considerable data here which I can put in the record on this. Senator CANNON. I think it would be well to submit a rather complete statement on it, because as you know this is a very controversial item. General CURTIN. We understand. Senator CANNON. And it will come up again in connection with Fort Richardson with the Army, so if you would supply quite a detailed justification for the record on that point. General CURTIN. We will do that, Mr. Chairman. (The information requested follows:) PROPOSED FUEL CONVERSION AT ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE This project is for converting the six steam boilers in the central heating and power plant at Elmendorf Air Force Base from coal to gas (with No. 6 oil standby), thereby effecting an estimated annual savings of $796,312 and amortizing the conversion cost in approximately 1.2 years. This plant consists of six 150,000 pounds of steam per hour boilers and three 7,500 kilowatt steam turbine driven generators, which furnishes electricity and exhaust steam for heating of the entire base. A large source of natural gas has been developed on the Kenai Peninsula, approximately 75 miles from Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Pipeline Co. has constructed a 124-inch outside diameter pipeline from the gas wells to the City Gate Station in Anchorage. This pipeline is approximately 82.5 miles long. Approximately 8.5 miles of this distance is a dual line buried under the Turnagin Arm and equipped with valves at both south and north ends of the submarine lines. First delivery of gas through this pipeline to the city of Anchorage was made in August 1961. During the 1964 earthquake in Alaska, no part of the line was damaged. The Alaska Pipeline Co. has offered to supply firm gas for the Elmendorf Air Force Base central heating and power plant at a cost of 210 cents per therm (29 cents per 1,000 cubic feet), on a 5-year contract. A cost study of the economics comparing (1) coal, (2) firm natural gas with oil standby, and (3) No. 6 oil as fuels indicated that gas is the most economical fuel. The study indicates that using gas, annual O. & M. savings of $796,312 can be realized when compared with operations using coal. Savings using oil would be $432,887 per year when compared with coal. The estimated cost of conversion of the six boilers to gas with oil standby is $900,000. Therefore, the annual savings will amortize the conversion cost in approximately 1.2 years. Colonel FENLON. The next project is for $1,225,000, for the extension of steam heat mains from the central heating plant to 416 buildings new being heated by old individual heating systems that have exceeded their normal life expectancy. This project will result in about a $117,000 annual savings in heating costs and avoid an expenditure of some $400,000 for replacement of obsolete individual systems. Senator CANNON. All right. GALENA AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA Colonel FENLON. Our next base is on page 121, Galena Air Force Base, located 2 miles northeast of Galena, Alaska. The mission of this installation is to support a rotational fighter interceptor squadron on alert. The program requested includes two items in the amount of $374,000. The first item is for additional diesel tank storage. Existing facilities are inadequate-35,000 barrels of storage are required, and only 24,000 barrels exist. The deficit must be supplied through drum storage, barge rentals or flown in by commercial carriers, each of which involves excessive costs. The second item is for yet fuel tank storage. Existing facilities are inadequate, and the deficit must be supplied through drum storage or be flown in by commercial carrier, each of which involves excessive costs. Resupply is by the Yukon River on barge rentals, at the time when it is open for shipping which is only 3 months of the year. Senator CANNON. All right, sir. KING SALMON AIRPORT, ALASKA Colonel FENLON. The next base is on page 124, King Salmon Airport located 296 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The mission for this base is an A.C. & W. squadron, fighter interceptor squadron and a White Alice communication station. The program requested in the amount of $288,000 is to provide a multipurpose recreation facility for indoor sport recreation and physical conditioning programs for personnel at this base. This site has no facility large enough for indoor physical activities, and is often weathered in for extended periods of time. Senator CANNON. This is not one of the stations to be phased out in the immediate future, is it? General CURTIN. No, sir. This is sort of a companion station to Galena. Senator CANNON. All right. VARIOUS LOCATIONS-AAC BETHEL RADIO RELAY SITE Colonel FENLON. Page 126, Bethel Radio Relay Site, White Alice Communications. This is the first installation of the various locations and is the Bethel Radio Relay Site located 400 miles west of Anchorage. The mission of this site is in direct support of White Alice communications. The one item programed is for water storage, which is a repetitive item we covered. Senator CANNON. All right, sir. CAPE LISBURNE STATION Colonel FENLON. The next base on page 128, Cape Lisburne Air Force Station, Alaska, located some 573 miles northwest of Fairbanks. The mission of this station is in direct support of the Alaska A.C. & W. and White Alice communications. The only item programed here is a repetitive item, and this is the auto storage facility. Senator CANNON. All right. Colonel FENLON. Our next station is on page 130. Senator CANNON. That is the facility where you could have it inside and have it heated? Colonel FENLON. Yes, sir, just a garage type of facility. COLD BAY COMMUNICATIONS STATION Colonel FENLON. The next station is Cold Bay Airport Communications Station located 640 miles southwest of Anchorage. The mission of this site is in direct support of the Alaska communications. The one item programed is to provide protection for critically needed point-to-point communications facilities in support of the telephone and marine radio. The existing facility is in complete disrepair. Its supports are rotten and not repairable. Senator CANNON. All right. DELTA JUNCTION COMMUNICATIONS STATION Colonel FENLON. Our next station, on page 132, the Delta Junction Communications Station, located 90 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The mission of this station is in direct support of the Alaskan Communications and B/MEWS Rearward Communications. The program contains a request to provide adequate space for maintenance and repair of special equipment urgently needed during frequent high winds, severe snowstorms and minus 60° temperatures at this isolated station. The work is presently done out of doors, when weather permits. No adequate facility exists. Senator CANNON. That was one of the repetitive items, too, wasn't it? Colonel FENLON. No, sir. This did not fall in the category of one. It is a special shop, special equipment, not a general maintenance shop. Senator CANNON. All right. DUNCAN CANAL RADIO RELAY SITE Colonel FENLON. The next base, on page 134, is Duncan Canal radio relay site located 660 miles south-southeast of Anchorage. The mission of this site is in direct support of White Alice communications and B/MEWS rearward communications. The only item programed is to provide an adequate loading and unloading dock for seaplane transportation of personnel and supplies. Use of the existing dock is extremely hazardous at high and low tides. Senator CANNON. All right. GLENALLEN COMMUNICATIONS STATION Colonel FENLON. The next station, on page 136, is Glenallen Communications Station located 170 miles north-northeast of Anchorage. The mission of this station is in direct support of Alaskan communications. Two items are programed. The first for $191,000 provides for adequate space for maintenance and repair of heavy duty equipment needed to maintain six unmanned mountaintop stations. At present work is accomplished out of doors when weather permits, and no suitable facility exists. The second item is a repetitive item for a storage warehouse. INDIAN MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION Colonel FENLON. Page 139, Indian Mountain Air Force Station, located 195 miles west-northwest of Fairbanks. The mission of this station is in direct support of the Alaskan A.C. & W. and White Alice communications. The program contains a request for a multipurpose recreation facility needed at this isolated station, to provide essential indoor physical conditioning programs and recreation for assigned personnel. No local facilities are available in the area. Senator CANNON. Is that building presently being used now? Colonel FENLON. Yes, sir; it is currently being used. It was built in 1953. Senator CANNON. All right. KOTZEBUE AIR FORCE STATION Colonel FENLON. The next station is on page 141, Kotzebue Air Force Station, located 455 miles west-northwest of Fairbanks. The mission of this station is in direct support of the Alaskan A.C. & W. and White Alice communications. The only item is a repetitive item for heated auto storage. Senator CANNON. All right. MURPHY DOME AIR FORCE STATION Colonel FENLON. Next station is on page 143, Murphy Dome Air Force Station, located 42 miles south-southwest of Fairbanks. The mission of this station is in direct support of Alaskan A.C. & W. and the White Alice communications. The program requests a multipurpose recreation facility needed to provide essential indoor physical conditioning programs for assigned personnel. No adequate facilities exist, and the severe storms and subzero temperatures preclude outdoor activity for extended periods of time. Senator CANNON. All right. NEKLASON RADIO RELAY SITE Colonel FENLON. The next station is on page 145, Neklason Radio Relay Site, located 30 miles north-northeast of Anchorage. The mission of this station is in direct support of White Alice communications. The one item is a repetitive item for a water storage tank. Senator CANNON. All right. NORTH RIVER RADIO RELAY SITE Colonel FENLON. The next station is on page 147, North River Radio Relay Site, located 400 miles west of Fairbanks. The mission of this site is in direct support of White Alice communications. We have one item that is a repetitive item for an auto maintenance shop. Senator CANNON. This was another item that was denied in the 1965 program; is that right? Colonel FENLON. Yes, sir. General CURTIN. This is now being performed in a 1,500-squarefoot building that was left over by the contractor in 1957. We would propose to destroy it. Senator CANNON. All right. OCEAN CAPE RADIO RELAY SITE Colonel FENLON. The next base, page 149, is Ocean Cape Radio Relay Site located 367 miles east-southeast of Anchorage. The mission of this station is in direct support of White Alice communications, and B/MEWS rearward communications. The program contains one item to provide a heavy equipment shop for maintenance and repair of special purpose vehicles. These vehicles are the lifeline of this important communication station. Currently maintenance and repair must be accomplished out of doors when weather permits. Senator CANNON. All right. PILLAR MOUNTAIN RADIO RELAY SITE Colonel FENLON. Next, on page 151, is Pillar Mountain Radio Relay Site located 255 miles southwest of Anchorage. The mission of this site is in direct support of White Alice communications. The one item is a repetitive item for a water storage tank. Senator CANNON. By the way, how do you take care of the water storage tanks up there, to keep them from freezing and destroying the tanks? General CURTIN. Generally these are heated tanks. Most of them will be enclosed by a heated building. Senator CANNON. So that in effect they are insulated actually. Senator CANNON. All right. |