Technical facilities in this amount total to $17 million and include: A materials science laboratory for primary investigations in the fields of metals, ceramics, fibers, plastics, and protective coatings for $6.9 million; an electronics research laboratory for $1.6 million; and alteration of, and additions to, several tracking stations for $2.1 million.

Nontechnical projects at our research and development centers which are essential to the accomplishment of the basic function amount to $9.5 million. These projects, located at eight bases in the United States provide : Construction of a landing strip at the Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tenn., $1.9 million; an addition to the Systems Command Headquarters at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., $1.7 million; a large electric power substation alteration, $1 million; and other projects for operational and personnel facilities.

GENERAL SUPPORT

The general support package represents a request of $132.7 million.

This package, the largest in value, covers training and support functions and various other activities and missions not included in the primary systems previously discussed.

Training

The consolidation and improvement of our training bases continues to be an area of primary importance and effort. The whole gamut of our training requirements, recruit training, tech training, flying training, and professional training are represented in the $42.3 million authorization requested. This amount contains: $5.5 million for continuation of the improvement in our recruit training facilities at Lackland Air Force Base, Tex.; $10 million for technical training and support facilities at four bases; $15 million at our flight-training bases, primarily to provide adequate troop housing and community facilities. Included is $8.9 million for the second increment of the expansion of the Air Force Academy. Last year $14.7 million was authorized for this expansion program. The $8.9 million requested this year brings us up to $23.6 million of the total $40 million estimated to be needed for this purpose.

Logistical Support

Management and operation of the logistical functions in support of our global Air Force operations requires construction authorization of $34.5 million. Depot maintenance facilities make up $8.5 million of this figure. These projects consist primarily of alterations to existing buildings to adapt them for continued use in the maintenance and overhaul of new systems and equipment.

Projects at our continuing air materiel areas to accommodate the missions being consolidated, and to make long-needed improvements in the normal base facilities amount to $26.0 million. Of this $14.2 million is for the alteration and conversion of warehouses and other suitable buildings to house our logistical administrative functions. This amount is but another indication of the rapid shift that is continuing to take place in our logistical function. This shift puts heavy emphasis on production and control.

The inherent efficiency and economy to be realized from this shift does require provision of adequate space for these functions. The balance of the projects, some $11.8 million, are a wide range of projects to support the logistical command functions, again with primary emphasis on personnel and community items.

Communications

Technological improvements to, and extension of, existing communications nets as well as the establishment of new communications facilities and the related power and support facilities place a continuing demand on the construction program. We are requesting $20.9 million, of which seven projects for major systems extensions/expansions represent $15.7 million of that amount. A major power-improvement project for $3 million and various base-communication projects for both buildings and power at eight locations in the United States and four bases overseas make up the balance.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities, which include composite medical facilities, dispensaries, and dental clinics are included in our request for $16.9 million. Only two new composite medical facilities, one at Ankara AS, Turkey and a second at Turner Air Force Base, Ga., and totaling $4.7 million are included. Other projects for composite medical facilities are additions and major alterations to eight composite medical facilities, seven of which are in the United States and one in the Philippines and will cost $10.1 million. Four dispensaries, two in the United States and two overseas plus three dental clinics, all in the United States, and one other medical item makes up the remainder of the medical projects to be presented.

Other general support

Classified
Some

General Support items not categorized so far total $18.1 million. activities at oversea locations account for $3.1 million of this amount. $3.3 million will provide for alteration of a building at Norton Air Force Base, Calif., to house our consolidated audiovisual production facilities and historical film archives. The remainder provides navigation and landing aids and supports such diversified activities and commands as the Air Weather Service, Headquarters Command, the Southern Command.

UNFORESEEN CONSTRUCTION

Authorization in the amount of $10 million is requested under section 303 of this bill without specific identity or location. This authorization, which can only be used after notifying this committee, and securing appropriate funding clearances, has proven invaluable in allowing the Air Force to proceed with essential but presently unforeseen construction. This authorization provides a method for more timely response to a critical emergency or contingency situation requiring construction. It is an extremely important part of this proposed legislation.

This concludes the summary of our "package analysis" and we can now outline summaries by "construction categories."

CONSTRUCTION CATEGORIES

Each of the program areas that have been discussed up to this point represents a cross section section of the various types of construction that we do at our installations. Each area contains all the facilities, from launch pads through warehouses to real estate that may be required to make that specific system function. To see the total amounts requested for each type, or category of construction, a summary of the total program by major construction category is provided in table III which is attached to the printed copies of my statement. The operational category, the largest of the group, amounts to $153.3 million. One-third of this category, $54.3 million is in support of our continuing missile and space programs. The significant projects in this entire category have been highlighted earlier..

Projects for maintenance of aircraft, missiles, and our basic facilities themselves total $31.2 million. This amount, when combined with the operational category to which they are closely allied, accounts for almost one-half of our authorization request.

The troop housing and the community facilities category, one-quarter of our requested authorization, contains the projects that mainly provide the nonworking hours environment for our airmen and officers. These are the facilities that most directly affect the attitude of the individual toward his Air Force career. Consequently, there is a very direct relationship between the adequacy of facilities in this category and our ability to retain our skilled personnel. The $89.5 million requested in this program will allow us to continue the program to eliminate deficiencies and replace temporary and substandard facilities with adequate structures. However, this amount will not solve the total problem. We will

need further programs and will also then request your continued assistance in providing the facilities that will produce an acceptable standard of troop housing and community facilities for Air Force personnel.

Within this amount we are requesting the construction or replacement of some 9,800 airmen dormitory spaces and the alteration or improvement of over 11,500 more spaces at a cost of $21.5 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Similarly, we are requesting to build about 2,400 new officers' quarters for $18.5 million and to improve some 1,900 spaces at $2.7 million.

The other authorizations within this category will provide a wide variety of projects that are steps toward establishment of a community atmosphere on our installations, particularly those removed from urban centers, compatible with the caliber of people needed to maintain our Air Force the most effective it can be. It contains, among others, 7 service clubs, 25 chapels or chapel annexes, 10 schools, 3 exchanges and 14 theaters. These facilities are basic to a balanced and effective force.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes my formal statement on the Air Force military construction authorization request for 1966. We are prepared to try to answer any questions the committee may desire. We are prepared to discuss each project contained in this request. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee.

(The table referred to in General Curtin's statement follow :)

TABLE I.-Department of the Air Force, fiscal year 1966 military construction authorization for the active forces

TABLE II.-Deparment of the Air Force, fiscal year 1966 military construction authorization

TABLE III.-Department of the Air Force, fiscal year 1966 military construction

General CURTIN. We are now prepared to move into the line items, Mr. Chairman, unless there are some questions.

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA

Senator YARBOROUGH. Mr. Chairman, I just noticed the appropriation for Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. I was up there the last week in November. I wonder, was this caused by the earthquake up there or is this for replacement?

General CURTIN. There is one item in the program, Senator, for the replacement or partial replacement of a warehouse that was destroyed in the earthquake. The remainder of the damage caused by the earthquake was previously funded out of operations and maintenance funds and emergency construction. There is only one item that we will come to that was a result of the earthquake.

Senator YARBOROUGH. That is all, Mr. Chairman.

Senator STENNIS. There are no other questions, General? Senator Jackson will you please preside?

Senator JACKSON. General, you may proceed with the first line item. AIR DEFENSE COMMAND

ENT AIR FORCE BASE, COLO.

General CURTIN. We will move in volume 1 to page 2 which is the summary page for Air Defense Command. Our books are organized, as you are well aware, by commands. We have a summary by command and then go into the individual line items. The first base is Ent Air Force Base. Colonel Fenlon will cover each of these items in depth for the committee.

Colonel FENLON. The first Air Defense Command base is Ent Air Force Base located in Colorado Springs, Colo. This supports the headquarters of the North American Air Defense Command, Continental Air Defense Command, and the Air Force Air Defense Command. The total program requested amounts to $1,767,000. Included in this program is $1,044,000 to support the basic mission of this base and $723,000 for facilities to support an additional mission.

Senator JACKSON. This is a part of the support for the Air Academy?

General CURTIN. The new mission coming there will be in support of the Air Force Academy.

Senator JACKSON. Is this not something new?

General CURTIN. The new mission was previously accommodated at Lowry Field in Denver, Colo. With the announced closing of a portion of the flying field at Lowry, the aircraft will be moved to Peterson Field which supported out of Ent.

Senator JACKSON. All right.

Colonel FENLON. The first provides an addition to the apron to accommodate additional aircraft assigned to this base. The existing apron cannot accommodate these additional aircraft.

Senator JACKSON. Are there any questions on any of these items, gentlemen?

Senator CANNON. Mr. Chairman, could we have a little more information about the number of aircraft that will be assigned and what the types are, and so on.