The CHAIRMAN. Fort Hood. General SHULER. Fort Hood, Tex.: Fourth Army; installation located west of Killeen; initially occupied in 1943; designated "Permanent." Mission: Principal mission is a training post for an armored division and its supporting troops, a missile command, and a corps headquarters. Total cost (based on price when acquired), $75,565,709. Cost of improvements (permanent and other), $68,822,652. Present strength: Military, 16,862; civilian employees, 1,921. Line items requested for fiscal year 1959 authorization ($6,984,000 total): Taxiway (FW). Aircraft access aprons and facilities (field maintenance). Unit operations building (RW). Flight simulator building. Hangar with shops (field maintenance). Aircraft parts storage building (RW). Three trainfire ranges. Two battalion headquarters building. Six enlisted men's barracks (326-man). Two battalion mess buildings. Two battalion administration and supply buildings. Detailed justification follows: Taxiway (fixed wing) ($60,000): This project is required to connect the field-maintenance hangar and access aprons to the existing fixed-wing runway. Taxiways are required for ground movement of fixed-wing aircraft simultaneously with landings and takeoffs on the runway and thus allow full use of the runway. This taxiway is necessary for efficient control of aircraft traffic between the runway and hangar aprons, to eliminate hazards to safety of personnel and aircraft. The proposed taxiway will be constructed in a new area east of the existing runway. No facilities exist for the proper, safe, and efficient operation of some 42 fixed-wing aircraft. The site plan for future development of the airfield heliport makes mandatory the provisions of this taxiway. Elimination of this project will preclude operation of the hangar due to lack of access thereto. Aircraft access aprons and facilities (field maintenance) ($172,000): Paved access aprons are required to support hangar with shops in this program for field maintenance of approximately 161 Army aircraft. These aprons will provide all-weather, dust-free access from the aircraft-parking area to both end doors of the aircraft hangar. Treated shoulders are required around the aprons to prevent dirt and gravel from damaging aircraft engines. Washing facilities are needed to clean the aircraft for maintenance inspection and flying efficiency. Existing field maintenance necessitates operation of aircraft engines out of doors on the hangar access aprons. This area must be paved to prevent damage to engines from dust and dirt. Existing temporary field-maintenance hangar and access apron is sufficient in size for only two aircraft, does not meet clearance cri teria for aircraft movement from the temporary taxiway to the hangar, and is located on the opposite side of the runway from the hangar proposed in this program. Failure to provide this apron will result in an incomplete maintenance facility. Flight control tower ($113,000): Project is required to provide facility for control of air traffic at Fort Hood Army Airfield. Approximately 161 aircraft are assigned at this field. In addition, many transient Army, Navy, and Air Force aircraft use the field. The present temporary wooden tower is only 20 feet high with a 7- by 7-foot central cab, which is entered through the floor. This tower is located in such a way that the operator cannot see air traffic in all quadrants because his sight is blocked by existing temporary hangars. Runways, parking, and taxiways for rotary-wing aircraft (fiscal year 1958 MCA construction) must be served by proposed tower, as their location also prevents control of aircraft movement from the existing temporary tower. If this project is not provided, air traffic control will continue to be hampered by lack of communications equipment (due to space limitation) and clear line of sight in all directions, and a safety hazard to aircraft and personnel will continue to exist. The existing tower will be removed. Unit operations building (rotary wing) ($92,000): This item is required to provide unit operations area in support of a helicopter company, is a portion of the permanent operational and administrative facilities to support approximately 161 aircraft scheduled to be assigned to the Fort Hood Army Airfield. Present aircraft population is 126. Field operations are currently housed in a temporary building (wooden farmhouse acquired with real estate in 1942) having an area of 1,500 square feet, which is inadequate to meet present requirement. Facilities must be provided for the added requirements for the helicopter-company unit operations to support 48 officers and 154 enlisted personnel. There are no other buildings at this installation which can be made available for necessary support. Failure to provide this item will adversely affect the assigned mission, as it will require operations to continue inefficiently in crowded, existing facilities. The present facilities will continue in use until all units required for permanent operation are provided in future MCA programs, then they will be removed. Flight simulator building ($118,000): Project is required to provide facilities for instrument training in flight simulators of approximately 170 Army aviators stationed at Fort Hood. A temporary building is being used as an interim measure to house fixed-wing-aircraft flight simulators. The dust and humidity in this non-air-conditioned building causes severe damage to the flight simulators. In addition, the building now being used is not large enough to house a rotary-wing flight simulator for use by helicopter pilots. If project is not provided, technical proficiency of aviators assigned to Fort Hood will suffer because of poor instrument training in flight simulators. Existing facilities will revert to the post for other use. Hangar with shops (field maintenance) ($585,000): This han ar with shops is required for field maintenance of approximately 161 Army aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing, to be stationed at Fort Hood. Major inspections, structural repairs, post flight inspections, and other maintenance activities must be accomplished on a 24-hour 20066-58-No. 86--11 basis to support the training program. Field maintenance is now being performed in an 8-year-old semipermanent Butler hangar which does not have necessary overhead crane facilities or shops. If this hangar is not provided, field-maintenance activities will continue to be hampered by lack of adequate facilities, resulting in maintenance delays and loss of deadlined aircraft for training purposes. The existing semipermanent hangars will continue to be used until all facilities required for permanent operation are provided in future MCA programs, then they will be dismantled. Aircraft parts storage building (rotary wing) ($46,000): Project is required to provide storage space for support of a light transport helicopter company. It will be used to store aircraft and aircraft radio spare parts, aircrew flying clothing, and parachutes. No such facility exists. If project is not provided, a temporary building in the main cantonment area will have to be utilized. This several-mile round trip from field to cantonment area will result in lost man-hours, cause serious delays in maintenance, and adversely affect flying missions. Existing 1,250 square feet of semipermanent space is now being used for parts storage, and will continue to be used for this purpose until all facilities required for permanent operation are provided in future MCA programs, then it will be removed. Three Trainfire I ranges ($233,000): Trainfire I has been adopted as the new basic rifle course by the Army. This project will provide part of the essential training facilities required for rifle instruction, based on this new training concept. Facilities which are outmoded by Trainfire I are currently being utilized. Two battalion headquarters buildings ($113,000): This project is required to support existing permanent barracks, constructed in new areas lacking administrative support. Barracks construction has progressed ahead of support facilities; thus, there are no existing buildings to house the battalion command administrative operations. Temporary buildings in adjacent areas are fully utilized in support of troops occupying other permanent and temporary barracks. Subject buildings are mandatory for tactical echelon battalion administrative and storage operations. If eliminated or postponed, no facility will be available to meet cited requirement, and troops housed in new barracks areas cannot be efficiently, adequately, nor economically administered. Six enlisted men's barracks (326-man) ($4,192,000): This project is required to provide permanent housing for troops assigned to this installation. Enlisted men now occupying temporary barracks constructed during 1942 with a life expectancy of 10 years. Maintenance and repair costs have risen to 16 cents per square foot for these temporary structures, and are accelerating yearly. In addition, these structures were converted to family quarters in 1948, reclaimed for troop housing in 1955, without removal of room partitions or replacement of latrine and shower facilities, and comply with provisions of DA Circular 100 for retirement of uneconomical structures. Continued use of the temporary units extends the high maintenance costs, reduces efficiency in operation and administration of troops, and precludes sound development of land areas in respect to drainage, utilities, access roads, and all facets of permanent-site work as subject structures are sited within the land-use area now under development for barracks and support facilities authorized in fiscal year 1956; 105 temporary buildings will be disposed of by sale. Two battalion mess buildings ($758,000): This item is required to support barracks in this program, which are a part of the permanent peacetime construction. Two battalion administration and supply buildings ($502,000): This item is required to support barracks in this program, which are a part of the permanent peacetime construction. Five hundred family quarters (Capehart) ($0): This project is required to provide an increment of the permanent family housing facilities for officer and enlisted personnel assigned to this station. In addition to existing permanent facilities there are 120 substandard units located on the post which are currently occupied, but which must be disposed of before July 1960. Community support housing has not kept in phase as to quantity nor quality adequate to support the civilian population increase and the military need. The present population of Killeen is estimated at 25,000. Current surveys indicate 1,542 military families occupy substandard housing in Killeen. The local community imposes rather stringent restrictions on Negro personnel. One small subdevelopment consisting of 120 units (sec. 903, title IX, NHA) is all that is avaliable for rent or purchase by Negro personnel assigned to this command. Under Operation Gyroscope, the 4th Armored Division, stationed at Fort Hood for the past several years, is changing stations with the 2d Armored Division in Germany. This operation, scheduled for completion in January 1958, will aggravate the family housing situation at Fort Hood, as the requirement for the 2d Armored Division will exceed that of the 4th Armored Division due to the difference in mission. The Military Affairs Committee, a local civic organization, and the Federal Housing Administration concurs in the need of this housing project. Number of units: Requested by Army: 500. Approved by OSD: 500. Estimated cost: $8,250,000. Authorization: Public Law 1020, 84th Congress. Current assets: Requirements (based on long-range troop strength): 707 568 500 2, 003 3,778 5,503 2,796 0 8, 299 Total The construction of this project will enable the Department of the Army to provide 68 percent of the maximum gross housing requirement based on the long-range troop forecast. The CHAIRMAN. Fort Hood; without objection, agreed to. General SHULER. Fort Sill, Okla.: Fourth Army; installation located 4 miles north of Lawton; initially occupied in 1871; designated "Permanent." Mission: Tactical and technical training of artillery and missile units of the United States Army with all its component and supporting units and the summer training of National Guard, ROTC, and USAR. Fort Sill administers to the following installations, activities, and units: The United States Army Artillery and Missile School, the United States Army Aviation Unit Training Command, all continental United States units at Fort Sill, the post of Fort Sill which is a class I installation, and United States Army Artillery Board for logistical support only. Total cost (based on price when acquired), $56,515,358. Cost of improvements (permanent and other), $55,296,365. Present strength: Military, 14,882; civilian employees, 2,402. total): Academic building (Department of Motors). Two Trainfire I ranges. Battalion motor repair shop and facilities. Hardstand, battalion motor park. Battalion headquarters building. Three hundred forty-nine family quarters (Capehart). Detailed justification follows: Academic building (Department of Motors, USAA and GMS) ($2,284,000): Project is required to enable the Department of Motors to efficiently and effectively perform its assigned mission of providing instruction and developing new doctrine and techniques in mechanical procedures used to maintain organic vehicles of antiaircraft, field artillery, and guided-missile units. With increased emphasis on guided-missile and power-operated self-propelled artillery equipment, this Department will instruct in the maintenance of guided-missile equipment as well as maintenance of equipment made to transport cannon-type artillery having the atomic delivery capability. As more missile and power-operated units are formed greater number of maintenance personnel will be required to keep these units completely mobile and operating. Existing facilities consist of 25 modified emergencytype structures constructed in 1942 as motor repair shops and stables, and subsequently converted to provide the present classrooms, laboratories, shops, and administration and storage space for this school department. Physical characteristics of the existing buildings precludes their use for indoor instruction on the newer and larger type vehicles; in addition the classrooms are deficient in lighting, acoustics, heating, ventilation, and toilet facilities, all of which tends to detract materially from the effectiveness of the instruction. Upon completion of this project some of the existing buildings will revert to motor repair shops for troop units and the remainder will remain as a mobilization potential. Failure to provide this project will necessitate the continued use of present facilities which limit the character and quality of instruction, and preclude accommodation of new instruction in pace with technical advances. |