INTRODUCTION

MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, GOOD MORNING. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE FISCAL YEAR 1999 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

 OVERVIEW

WE MUST BE A SEAMLESS AIR FORCE! WE HAVE A NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGY THAT STATES THAT WE NEED TO SHAPE, RESPOND, AND PREPARE NOW FOR AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE. THE QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW (QDR) CONFIRMS THAT STRATEGY AND BALANCES THE OVERALL DEFENSE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE STRATEGY. WHAT WE SEE EMERGING NOW IS THAT THE QDR IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF, BUT RATHER THE BEGINNING OF A DEBATE THAT WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR MILITARY FORCE. THUS, WE HAVE MOVED FROM THE COLD WAR TO THIS ERA OF PEACE TROUBLED BY REGIONAL CONFLICT. THE AIR FORCE HAS BEEN CALLED UPON TO ACCEPT AN EVER-WIDENING ARRAY OF PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, WARTIME COMMITMENTS AND AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF DEPLOYMENTS. IN TODAY’S AIR FORCE, TWO-THIRDS AS MANY FORCES DEPLOY TO FOUR TIMES AS MANY PLACES AS IN 1989. THIS REMARKABLE FEAT COULD NOT BE DONE – AND CANNOT IN THE FUTURE BE DONE – WITHOUT A SEAMLESS TOTAL FORCE.

 THE TOTAL FORCE POLICY HAS GUIDED DECISIONS ABOUT HOW PEOPLE - RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARDSMEN, ACTIVE DUTY, RETIRED MILITARY, FEDERAL CIVILIAN, SERVICE AUXILIARIES, AND CONTRACTORS - ARE STRUCTURED TO PROTECT THE NATION’S INTEREST. WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT A "SEAMLESS TOTAL FORCE" AS THOUGH "SEAMLESSNESS" IS A SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRING STATE OF NATURE – A FOREGONE CONCLUSION. NOTHING CAN BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. SEAMLESSNESS IS THE PRODUCT OF MUTUAL RESPECT WON THROUGH HARD WORK AND CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONALISM. THEREFORE, WE MUST CHERISH THE COVENANT OF "SEAMLESSNESS" WITHIN THE AIR FORCE. WE NOW KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT NO ONE CAN "GO IT ALONE."  SEAMLESSNESS IS NOT A PANACEA; HOWEVER, IT ENABLES US TO AGGRESSIVELY MANAGE THE MOST FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES TO TROOP RETENTION AND READINESS -- OPSTEMPO AND PERSTEMPO. CONSEQUENTLY, GIVEN THE RESULTING INCREASED OPSTEMPO AND PERSTEMPO OF OUR VERY CAPABLE AND READY GUARD AND RESERVE UNITS, WE MUST KEEP THEIR "MUST HAVE" MILITARY CONSTRUCTION NEEDS IN THE FOREFRONT OF OUR STRATEGY AS WE MOVE OUR AIR FORCE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

  WE KNOW THAT SEAMLESS SUPPORT OPERATIONS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENABLING THE AIR FORCE TO LIVE, TRAIN, AND EXECUTE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY. IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE TOTAL FORCE, THESE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS MUST BECOME BETTER, FASTER, AND CHEAPER. THEY MUST BE BETTER BECAUSE QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY INSTALLATIONS, CONTRIBUTE TO A QUALITY OF LIFE WHICH IMPROVES MORALE, RETENTION, AND HENCE THE READINESS OF THE FORCE. THEY MUST BE CHEAPER IN ORDER TO FUND FORCE MODERNIZATION TO MAINTAIN BATTLEFIELD DOMINANCE. THUS, WE HAVE ADOPTED AN APPROACH TO CONTINUALLY EXAMINE INTERNAL OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES TO DETERMINE WHERE WE CAN RIGHT-SIZE, CONSOLIDATE LIKE FUNCTIONS, DEMOLISH, ENHANCE JOINT-USE OF FACILITIES AMONG OTHER SERVICES, AND EMBRACE THE REVOLUTION IN BUSINESS AFFAIRS THROUGH BETTER BUSINESS PRACTICES. ALL OF THESE ARE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR FORCE FACILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURE.

  EVERY YEAR WE BALANCE INSTALLATION SUPPORT OPERATIONS, WHILE ACCEPTING A GREATER LEVEL OF RISK. AS WITH PREVIOUS SUBMISSIONS, INSTALLATION PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO REFLECT HARD DECISIONS AND TOUGH CHOICES. THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AT AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR CORE COMPETENCIES IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL STRATEGIES AND THE QDR. WE ARE STRIVING TO MAINTAIN FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE AIR FORCE PEOPLE WORK AND LIVE TO PRECLUDE WEAKENING UNIT READINESS, IMPAIRING MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT, OR DEGRADING QUALITY OF LIFE. THE AIR FORCE CORPORATE STRATEGY FOR THE INSTALLATION SUPPORT PROGRAM INCLUDES: 

• ENSURING OUR MILCON PROGRAM PLACES EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING NEW MISSION BEDDOWNS AND CURRENT MISSION NECESSITIES, INCLUDING REDIRECTING LIMITED CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO OUR MOST PRESSING REQUIREMENTS. 
• MAINTAINING OUR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES. 
• REINVESTING IN THE FEW REMAINING OVERSEAS BASES, WHICH EVEN AFTER HOST-NATION BURDENSHARING HAVE NUMEROUS FACILITY NEEDS CRITICAL TO AIR FORCE CORE COMPETENCIES.  
• INCORPORATE ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY INTO CORE BUSINESS PRACTICES TO LOWER COST AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE WHILE CONTINUING TO FUND CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS TO MEET COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS. 

THE AIR FORCE RECOGNIZES THAT WE MUST LOOK AT OUR INSTALLATION FACILITY REQUIREMENTS DIFFERENTLY THAN IN THE PAST. THAT IS WHY WE MUST EMBRACE THE BUSINESS REVOLUTION THROUGH BETTER BUSINESS PRACTICES. THIS INCLUDES THE INDOCTRINATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESS PRACTICES INTO EVERYTHING WE DO: TIME MANAGEMENT; PAPERWORK; DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY; PRODUCTION; ACCOUNTABILITY; CUSTOMER FOCUS; AND ATTITUDE. IMPROVED BUSINESS PRACTICES LED OUR TRANSITION TO THE AIR FORCE CORPORATE PROCESS, OUTSOURCING, PRIVATIZING, AND PEOPLE FIRST PROGRAMS. ALL OF THESE THINGS WILL BE MELDED INTO DESIGN TEMPLATES FOR OUR INSTALLATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY. PROPERLY DONE, THESE ACTIONS WILL BE A POWERFUL INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.

  MR. CHAIRMAN, WE ARE COGNIZANT THAT THE AIR FORCE COULD NOT MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF ANY OF OUR FACILITIES AND THE ADVANTAGES THEY RENDER WITHOUT THE STRONG SUPPORT WE HAVE ALWAYS RECEIVED FROM THIS COMMITTEE, FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST APPRECIATIVE.

  MR. CHAIRMAN, AS WE EMPHASIZE OUR SEAMLESS SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS AND DESIRE TO USE BETTER BUSINESS PRACTICES, I WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED NOW TO DISCUSS THE MAJOR PROGRAM AREAS OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 1999 MILCON BUDGET REQUEST. I WILL REVIEW THE TOTAL FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON THE MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING PROGRAM. FINALLY, I WILL ADDRESS THE AIR FORCE PERSPECTIVE ON THE DOD REQUEST FOR BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACCOUNTS AS STATED IN THE QDR. 

  THE AIR FORCE MILCON PROGRAM CONSISTS OF FIVE PRINCIPAL AREAS: NEW MISSION, CURRENT MISSION, PLANNING & DESIGN AND UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION, ENVIRONMENT, AND BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE (BRAC). NEW MISSION CONSTRUCTION SUPPORTS THE BEDDOWN OF NEW WEAPON SYSTEMS AND FORCE STRUCTURE REALIGNMENTS. CURRENT MISSION MILCON REVITALIZES EXISTING FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND BUILDS NEW FACILITIES TO CORRECT EXISTING DEFICIENCIES. PLANNING & DESIGN AND UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION INCLUDE FUNDS TO DESIGN OUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND A SMALL PROGRAM TO HANDLE URGENT, UNFORESEEN CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THOSE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE PROJECTS WHICH MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED TO AVOID INCREASED HEALTH OR SAFETY RISKS TO PEOPLE ON OR OFF OUR INSTALLATIONS. THE BRAC PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTY AT CLOSURE INSTALLATIONS TO COMMUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC REINVESTMENT.

  OUR TOTAL AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999 IS $1.55 BILLION. THIS REQUEST INCLUDES $1.47 BILLION FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ($455 MILLION FOR TRADITIONAL MILCON AND $1.016 BILLION FOR MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING), $34.8 MILLION FOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD MILCON, $10.5 MILLION FOR AIR FORCE RESERVE MILCON, AND $34.1 MILLION FOR BRAC MILCON. 

  SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR, THE AIR FORCE’S FY 1999 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FAMILY HOUSING PROGRAMS WERE DEVELOPED USING A FACILITY INVESTMENT STRATEGY WITH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: 

• MAINTAIN WHAT WE OWN
• ACCOMMODATE NEW MISSIONS
• MAINTAIN QUALITY OF LIFE INVESTMENTS
• OPTIMIZE USE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES
• CONTINUE DEMOLITION PROGRAM
• REINVEST OVERSEAS
• CONTINUE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP 

GIVEN THE SUCCESS OF THE CORPORATE AIR FORCE PROCESS, WE CONTINUE TO CONSIDER THE AIR FORCE TOTAL OBLIGATION AUTHORITY AS ONE POT OF MONEY. THOSE FUNDS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY METED OUT BASED ON THE MOST URGENT, CORPORATE NEEDS OF THE TOTAL FORCE. THE STRATEGY FOR ALLOCATION OF THE FUNDS ARE INEXTRICABLY TIED TO MAJOR COMMANDS (TO INCLUDE THE AIR FORCE RESERVE AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD), CHIEF OF STAFF, AND SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PRIORITIES.

 THE MAJOR COMMANDS SUBMITTED A PRIORITIZED, UNCONSTRAINED LIST OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS. THE MILCON INTEGRATED PROCESS TEAM, USED A PROVEN WEIGHTING MATRIX TO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY TO ESTABLISH A CROSS-CUTTING INVESTMENT PROGRAM. THE RESULT IS AN INTEGRATED PRIORITY LIST BASED ON THE MOST URGENT NEEDS OF THE TOTAL AIR FORCE. THE LIST INTEGRATES NEW MISSION, CURRENT MISSION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS FOR ACTIVE, GUARD, AND RESERVE COMPONENTS. THIS PRIORITY LIST WAS PRESENTED TO THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE, TO INCLUDE THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE, FOR FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

 CURRENT MISSION:

"MAINTAIN WHAT WE OWN" IS THE INVESTMENT STRATEGY UNDERLYING OUR CURRENT MILCON PROGRAM. THIS CONCEPT RESULTS IN IDENTIFYING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO SUSTAIN READINESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REDUCE THE REQUIREMENTS VIA PRIVATIZATION AND DEMOLITION. THIS STRATEGY IS ROOTED IN THE STEWARDSHIP ENTRUSTED TO US FOR MAINTAINING EIGHTY-SEVEN MAJOR INSTALLATIONS. WE ARE STILL NOT LOOKING TO INCREASE OUR MAINTENANCE DOLLAR SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE OR NEW FACILITIES. CONVERSELY, WE CONTINUE TO TARGET DEMOLITION OF WORN OUT OR OBSOLETE FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO REDUCE REOCCURRING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE DEMOLISHED OVER SEVEN MILLION SQUARE FEET OF FACILITIES OVER THE PAST TWO FISCAL YEARS.

  THIS YEAR’S CURRENT MISSION MILCON PROGRAM CONSISTS OF 33 PROJECTS TOTALING $286 MILLION. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF FACILITIES AT A NUMBER OF INSTALLATIONS TO INCLUDE: A CONTROL TOWER AT SELFRIDGE AIR GUARD BASE, MICHIGAN; AN AIR FORCE RESERVE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE FACILITY AT MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA; A CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MARYLAND; AND DINING FACILITIES AT CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NEW JERSEY.

 WE WILL CONTINUE OUR VIGIL TO EFFECTIVELY USE AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO DETERMINE WHAT WE NEED, TO CARE FOR WHAT WE OWN, TO RENOVATE OR REPLACE WORN OUT FACILITIES, AND TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSOLIDATE FUNCTIONS IN RETAINED FACILITIES.

 ACCOMMODATE NEW MISSIONS: SUPPORT CORE MODERNIZATION, BEDDOWN OF NEW MISSIONS, AND EXPANSION OF EXISTING MISSIONS

OUR PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSIONS. THE AIR FORCE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE UNIQUE CAPABILITIES EMBODIED IN OUR SPECIALIZED CORE COMPETENCIES. THESE COMPETENCIES PROVIDE THE RAPID, PRECISE, AND GLOBAL RESPONSE THAT GIVES OUR COMBATANT COMMANDERS THE NECESSARY OPTIONS TO RESPOND TO REGIONAL CONFLICTS IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGIES.

  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT WEAPON SYSTEM BEDDOWNS SUCH AS THE C-17 AND THE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE, OR IMPROVE PERSONNEL TRAINING BY CONSTRUCTING THE ENHANCED TRAINING RANGE IN IDAHO. THE ENTIRE MILCON PROGRAM SUPPORTING NEW MISSION REQUIREMENTS CONSISTS OF 27 PROJECTS TOTALING $137.6 MILLION.

THE C-17 GLOBEMASTER III AIRCRAFT IS DESIGNED TO REPLACE OUR AGING FLEET OF C-141 STARLIFTERS. IT COMBINES THE AIRLIFT CAPABILITIES OF THE C-141, THE C-5 GALAXY’S ABILITY TO CARRY OVERSIZE CARGO, AND THE C-130 HERCULES’ ABILITY TO LAND DIRECTLY ON SHORT, FORWARD-LOCATED AIRSTRIPS. IN NOVEMBER 1995, THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION BOARD DETERMINED THAT THE C-17 MET THE NATION’S NEEDS, AFTER WHICH, THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF ALL 120 AIRCRAFT REQUESTED.

  AT THAT TIME, MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON, WAS DESIGNATED AS THE SECOND ACTIVE DUTY OPERATIONAL BASE FOR THE AIRCRAFT. WE HAD ALREADY IDENTIFIED CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AS THE FIRST ACTIVE DUTY OPERATIONAL BASE, AND ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA, AS THE C-17 TRAINING BASE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THOMPSON FIELD, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD OPERATING LOCATION. THE FY 1999 PROGRAM INCLUDES SEVERAL FACILITIES AT MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE A RAMP/HYDRANT SYSTEM, MAINTENANCE FACILITIES, AND A SHORTFIELD ASSAULT STRIP. THE TOTAL PROGRAM FOR FY 99 IS $71 MILLION.

THE UAV PROGRAM IS BASED AT INDIAN SPRINGS AIR FORCE AUXILIARY AIRFIELD, NEVADA. IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LONG ENDURANCE TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE OF THE BATTLEFIELD. THE NEW MISSION BEDDOWN FOR TWO SQUADRONS OF 45 UNMANNED VEHICLES AND 566 PERSONS INCLUDES A SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY, A COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE FACILITY, AND A LOGISTICS AND TRAINING FACILITY FOR A TOTAL OF $15 MILLION IN FY99.

 ENHANCED TRAINING IN IDAHO (ETI)

THE AIR FORCE PROPOSES TO BUILD A RANGE ON BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO AND MODIFY AIRSPACE FOR LOCAL TRAINING BY MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO, CREWS. THE MULTI-YEAR RANGE PROGRAM BEGINS WITH A $2.4 MILLION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND A $1 MILLION LAND ACQUISITION. THE ETI ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE REALISTIC LOCAL TRAINING WITH CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS. THE ETI ALSO SIMULATES REAL-WORLD SCENARIOS AND ALLOWS AIRCREWS TO PLAN AND PRACTICE COMPLEX MISSIONS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING REALISTIC TRAINING, ETI’S CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE ALSO ENABLES CREWS TO CONVERT TIME CURRENTLY SPENT IN TRANSIT INTO ACTUAL TRAINING TIME. THE RANGE INCLUDES A 12,000-ACRE DROP SITE; A 640-ACRE AND FOUR 5-ACRE NO-DROP, SIMULATED TARGET AREAS; AND TEN 1-ACRE AND TWENTY .25-ACRE EMITTER SITES. THE TOTAL FY99 MILCON IS $3.4 MILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM.

 QUALITY OF LIFE

WE CAN NOT EFFECTIVELY PLAN FOR THE FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR AIR FORCE COMMUNITY UNLESS WE START AT THE BEGINNING, AND OUR BEGINNING IS PEOPLE. MILITARY PERSONNEL READINESS WAS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE BY THE END OF THE 1970S; AND ENTHUSIASM FOR A DECENT QUALITY OF LIFE CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY APPROACH TO BOTH RETAIN EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL IN THE SERVICE AND OFFER AN ATTRACTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT TO THOSE ASPIRING TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY. CONSEQUENTLY, WE BELIEVE THAT IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR PERSONNEL TRANSLATES INTO ENHANCED READINESS AS A RESULT OF OUR DEPLOYED AIRMEN NOT WORRYING ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR FAMILIES.

 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET OF OUR SERVICE. THE AIR FORCE RECOGNIZES THE CORRELATION BETWEEN READINESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE; WE SUCCEED IN OUR MISSION BY PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST. THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STRENGTH, AND WE MUST RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND RETAIN THE HIGHEST QUALITY FORCE POSSIBLE. IF WE ARE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THEN THIS SEAMLESS AIR FORCE TEAM MUST TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES.

  THE AIR FORCE QUALITY OF LIFE STRATEGY IDENTIFIES SEVEN QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVES: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, BALANCED PERSTEMPO AND OPSTEMPO, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, RETIREMENT, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE MILCON PROGRAM IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE BY RENOVATING OR CONSTRUCTING DORMITORIES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FACILITIES. OUR THREE-STEP DORMITORY INVESTMENT STRATEGY INCLUDES THE BUY-OUT OF ALL PERMANENT PARTY CENTRAL LATRINE DORMITORIES BY FY99, BUILDING TO MEET THE DORM DEFICIT, AND REPLACING OR CONVERTING OUR WORST EXISTING DORMS WITHIN TEN YEARS (FY00 - FY09)

  RECENT EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON HOUSING FOR UNACCOMPANIED AIRMEN; AN AREA WITH A LARGE IMPACT ON FORCE RETENTION AND FUTURE RECRUITING. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, FY99 WILL MARK THE YEAR IN WHICH WE "BUY-OUT" OUR LAST REMAINING PERMANENT PARTY CENTRAL LATRINE DORMITORIES. AS WE REACH OUR GOAL OF ELIMINATING THESE SUBSTANDARD FACILITIES WE WILL USE THE DORMITORY MASTER PLAN AS A ROADMAP TO ELIMINATE DEFICITS AND REPLACE OUR "WORST" DORMITORIES WHILE WE BALANCE ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT FACILITIES.

  THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM FUNDS ELEVEN ENLISTED DORMITORY PROJECTS AT SIX STATESIDE AND FIVE FOREIGN INSTALLATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF $119 MILLION. IN ADDITION TO THE DORMITORIES, THE PROGRAM FUNDS A CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MARYLAND, AND DINING FACILITIES AT CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NEW JERSEY FOR A TOTAL OF $15 MILLION.

 OPTIMIZE USE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES:

AS THE AIR FORCE TRANSITIONS TO A SEAMLESS SPACE AND AIR FORCE, WE MUST FREE UP PRECIOUS RESOURCES FOR MODERNIZATION. TO DO THIS WE ARE ADOPTING MODERN BUSINESS PRACTICES: REMOVING REDUNDANCY, USING COMPETITION TO IMPROVE QUALITY AND REDUCE COSTS, AND REDUCING SUPPORT STRUCTURES TO FREE UP RESOURCES AND FOCUS ON CORE COMPETENCIES. ALL THE TIME WE MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THE PURPOSE OF OUR OUTSOURCING AND PRIVATIZING INITIATIVES ARE DESIGNED TO PRESERVE "TOOTH," AND STREAMLINE "TAIL," WHILE SUPPORTING MODERNIZATION.

  ONE EXAMPLE OF INNOVATIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES INVOLVES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO "USE THE OTHER GUYS MONEY" IN A LAND AND FACILITIES SWAP BETWEEN THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD AND THE PHOENIX AIRPORT AUTHORITY. PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WANTED TO EXPAND THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE ONTO AIR NATIONAL GUARD PROPERTY AND WERE WILLING TO BUILD US A NEW BASE. THROUGH A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL ARRANGEMENT WE WILL GAIN $65 MILLION WORTH OF NEW FACILITIES, FUNDED AND CONSTRUCTED BY THE CITY, WHILE EXPERIENCING NO IMPACT ON OPERATIONAL READINESS. THAT’S SMART GOVERNMENT.

  WE HAVE BEEN REMISS FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME USED TO AWARD OUR FIRST HOUSING PRIVATIZATION EFFORT; HOWEVER, WE ARE CONFIDENT THIS AWARD WILL HAPPEN THIS SUMMER. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED VOLUMES ABOUT THE NECESSARY PROCESS AND PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED US TO ELIMINATE MANY HURDLES FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. WE STILL BELIEVE THAT WE WILL PROVIDE NEW HOMES TO OUR AIRMEN IN LESS TIME THAN THE STANDARD MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ROUTE - TWO YEARS, NOT THREE. ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT INCLUDES THE USE OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE FAMILY HOUSING MASTER PLAN AS A BLUEPRINT FOR GUIDING FUTURE PRIVATIZATION. THIS WILL ALSO SAVE MORE TIME AND ALLOW US TO BETTER PROGRAM FUTURE PRIVATIZATION PROJECTS.

  MEANWHILE, WE ARE EMBRACING A DEFENSE REFORM INITIATIVE THAT PLACES US PRIMARILY IN THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS AND WILL REDUCE OUR ROLE IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUSINESS. WE ARE SEEKING TO PRIVATIZE UTILITY SYSTEMS WHERE IT MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE AND WHERE NOT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A READINESS CAPABILITY. FOUR PILOT STUDIES ARE UNDERWAY AT HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH; SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS; LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VIRGINIA; AND EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA.

  ONE EXAMPLE OF AN EARLY SUCCESS WITH UTILITY PRIVATIZATION IS AT YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO. IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE EXPENSES AND SATISFY THE ELECTRICAL DEMAND AT THE STATION, THE RESERVES PURSUED THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE STATION POWER SYSTEM. CONGRESS APPROVED THE EFFORT AS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF PERMITTING PRIVATE ENTITIES TO INSTALL, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AT MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. THE CONTRACT WITH OHIO EDISON COMPANY WAS AWARDED IN AUGUST 1997. THE PROJECT REPLACES AN UNDERSIZED AND OBSOLETE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR $360 THOUSAND LESS THAN IF THE AIR FORCE HAD RETAINED OWNERSHIP OF THE SYSTEM.

 OVERSEAS MILCON

WE MUST INVEST IN FORCE PROTECTION, SAFETY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE AT OUR OVERSEAS BASES. WE NOW HAVE ELEVEN OVERSEAS MAIN OPERATING BASES: TWO IN GERMANY, ONE IN ITALY, TWO IN ENGLAND AND ONE IN TURKEY. IN THE PACIFIC, WE HAVE TWO IN KOREA AND THREE IN JAPAN. GIVEN THE STABILITY OF OUR OVERSEAS INSTALLATIONS, AFTER YEARS OF BASE CLOSURES AND MAJOR FORCE REDUCTIONS, WE CAN SEE THAT OUR REDUCED MILCON INVESTMENT COMBINED WITH HOST NATION FUNDING WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO COVER OUR OVERSEAS REQUIREMENT. CONSEQUENTLY, WE ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING NATO FUNDING, HOST NATION FUNDING, AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND; HOWEVER, THE NEED FOR QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS IS BIGGER THAN AVAILABLE BURDENSHARING OPPORTUNITIES CAN SATISFY.

  OUR 1999 PROGRAM FOR OUR EUROPEAN AND PACIFIC INSTALLATIONS INCLUDES $71 MILLION IN UNCLASSIFIED MILCON. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF DORMITORY PROJECTS AT KUNSAN AND OSAN AIR BASES IN KOREA, RAF LAKENHEATH AND MILDENHALL IN ENGLAND; AND SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE IN GERMANY. WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THESE IMPORTANT QUALITY OF LIFE PROJECTS - THEY REPRESENT OUR MOST CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR AIRMEN STATIONED OVERSEAS AT OUR MOST STABLE INSTALLATIONS, AND BUY OUT OUR FIRST COMMITMENT TO OUR AIRMEN: CENTRAL LATRINE DORMS. WE MUST ALSO HAVE THE OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDING A CENTRAL SECURITY CONTROL FACILITY AT INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY; AND SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITIES AT MILDENHALL AND SPANGDEHLEM.

 FOR ALL EUROPEAN PROJECTS, WE ARE SENDING A PRECAUTIONARY PREFINANCING STATEMENT TO THE NATO INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEES. THESE STATEMENTS WILL PERMIT RECOUPMENT FROM THE NATO INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM IF ELIGIBILITY IS SUBSEQUENTLY ESTABLISHED.

 ENVIRONMENTAL MILCON

AS OUR RECORD SHOWS, WE ARE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING OUR ALREADY OPEN RELATIONSHIPS BOTH WITH THE REGULATORY COMMUNITY AND WITH OUR INSTALLATION NEIGHBORHOODS. WE NOT ONLY STRIVE TO ENSURE OUR OPERATIONS MEET ALL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND LAWS, BUT WE ALSO SEEK OUT PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL REGULATORY AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR COUNTERPARTS TO SHARE IDEAS AND CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF TRUST.

 OUR CONTINUING CAMPAIGN TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHIC WITHIN THE AIR FORCE CULTURE, BOTH HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD, HAS ENABLED US TO SUSTAIN OPERATIONAL READINESS, BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, AND LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES TO REMAIN A LEADER IN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND CLEANUP.

  OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, AS A RESULT OF THESE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS, THE AIR FORCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM RECEIVED TOP HONORS FOR ALMOST ONE HALF OF THE 28 AWARDS AREAS RECOGNIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. WE WERE RECOGNIZED FOR OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AS WELL AS RECYCLING IN NON-INDUSTRIAL AREAS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR MEASURE OF MERIT TARGETING NO ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IS PAYING DIVIDENDS. WE HAVE REDUCED OUR OPEN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS FROM 263 IN FY92 TO 11 IN FY98.

  OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE MILCON REQUEST FOR FY99 TOTALS $17.1 MILLION FOR EIGHT, LEVEL-1 COMPLIANCE PROJECTS. OUR PROGRAM PRIMARILY FOCUSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS FOR FIRE TRAINING FACILITIES. CLOSED DUE TO GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION FROM EXISTING OPERATIONS, THESE FIRE TRAINING FACILITIES ARE LOCATED AT HURLBURT FIELD, FLORIDA; GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, NORTH DAKOTA; KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO; MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA; MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA; AND VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA; AND HECTOR FIELD, NORTH DAKOTA. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO REPLACE TRADITIONAL JET FUEL BURNING FACILITIES WITH A MODERN STANDARD DESIGN PROVIDING A MORE ECONOMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFER TRAINING METHOD. WE ALSO HAVE A PROJECT TO UPGRADE THE SANITARY SEWER LINES IN SUPPORT OF THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE AT ALPENA COUNTY AIRPORT IN MICHIGAN.

 ALL OF THESE PROJECTS SATISFY LEVEL-1 REQUIREMENTS. LEVEL-1 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS REFER TO CONDITIONS OR FACILITIES CURRENTLY OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE SUBJECT TO A COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT.

 UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION

WE HAVE REQUESTED $13.5 MILLION IN FY99 FOR UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION FUNDS, WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE TOTAL AIR FORCE WITH ITS PRIMARY MEANS OF RESPONDING TO SMALL, UNFORESEEN FACILITY REQUIREMENTS THAT CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NORMAL MILCON PROCESS. FROM FY91 THROUGH FY97, A TOTAL OF $12.7 MILLION WAS REPROGRAMMED INTO THE ACCOUNT TO FUND URGENT REQUIREMENTS. THE FY93 THROUGH FY98 ACCOUNTS ARE FULLY OBLIGATED OR COMMITTED TO VALID PROJECTS.

OUR REQUEST FOR FY99 PLANNING AND DESIGN IS $46.6 MILLION. THESE FUNDS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE DESIGN OF THE FY00 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND TO START DESIGN OF OUR FY01 PROJECTS.

  AS IN YEARS PAST, THE AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP CONSIDERS MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING TO BE ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS. WE ARE CONVINCED THAT NO OTHER FACILITY PROGRAM SO GREATLY INFLUENCES THE PERFORMANCE AND COMMITMENT OF OUR PEOPLE AS MUCH AS HAVING QUALITY HOMES FOR THEIR FAMILIES. MAINTAINING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FAMILY HOUSING PROGRAM IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN THIS ERA OF MAJOR FORCE REDUCTIONS AND INCREASED OPSTEMPO AND PERSTEMPO DEMANDS. BECAUSE THESE FACTORS ARE SO STRESSFUL FOR MILITARY FAMILIES, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES TO MITIGATE THE STRESS. CONSEQUENTLY, WE HAVE DEVELOPED - CONSISTENT WITH THE CORPORATE PRIORITIES OF THE AIR FORCE - OUR HOUSING PROGRAM TO BEST SERVE OUR FAMILIES.

  DUE IN LARGE PART TO STRONG CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT, OUR MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING INVESTMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSTAINED DURING RECENT FORCE STRUCTURE CHANGES. EVEN SO, THE AVERAGE AGE OF OUR FAMILY HOUSING INVENTORY IS 35 YEARS, AND OVER 61,000 OF OUR CURRENT 110,000 HOUSING UNITS DO NOT MEASURE UP TO CONTEMPORARY STANDARDS.

  OUR MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE MAJOR PROGRAMS: PRIVATIZATION, INVESTMENT, AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M). UNDER THE PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM, WE WILL SOON USE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FAMILY HOUSING MASTER PLAN AS A BLUEPRINT FOR GUIDING PRIVATIZATION EFFORTS. THERE ARE TWELVE STATESIDE HOUSING PRIVATIZATION PROJECTS BEING EXAMINED; 420 UNITS AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS, ARE SCHEDULED FOR CONTRACT AWARD THIS SUMMER. THE $226 MILLION FY99 MFH INVESTMENT PROGRAM IS PROGRAMMED TO CONSTRUCT 64 NEW UNITS AT DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS; REPLACE 784 WORN OUT UNITS AT 12 SEPARATE LOCATIONS; AND IMPROVE 625 UNITS AT 10 LOCATIONS. FINALLY, THE HOUSING O&M PROGRAM IS $790 MILLION. IT SUPPORTS "MUST PAY" REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS REFUSE COLLECTION, SNOW REMOVAL, UTILITIES, AND LEASES. THE PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS THE CONTRACT MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO KEEP HOUSES IN GOOD CONDITION FOR OUR FAMILIES.

 WE CONTINUE TO USE THE FY96 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT WHICH CREATED THE FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR OUR PRIVATIZATION EFFORTS. THE AUTHORIZATION ACT PERMITS MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING INITIATIVES WHICH ENABLE US TO ACCELERATE IMPROVEMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF OUR FAMILY HOUSING INVENTORY. WE ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED STRONG SUPPORT FOR OUR REQUESTED INVESTMENT LEVEL SO WE HAVE SUFFICIENT CAPITAL TO ENSURE AN ACCELERATED FIX OF OUR INADEQUATE HOUSING.

 HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS

THE AIR FORCE "WHOLE HOUSE/WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD" IMPROVEMENT CONCEPT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL. UNDER THIS CONCEPT, WE UPGRADE OLDER HOMES TO CONTEMPORARY STANDARDS--UPDATING WORN-OUT BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS, REPLACING OBSOLETE UTILITY AND STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LIVING SPACE AS PERMITTED BY LAW, AND AT THE SAME TIME, ACCOMPLISHING ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. THE RESULT IS A VERY COST EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT THAT EXTENDS THE LIFE OF THESE HOUSES 25 YEARS. IN ADDITION, THE "WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD" PROGRAM PROVIDES RECREATION AREAS, LANDSCAPING, PLAYGROUNDS AND UTILITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO GIVE US ATTRACTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL LIVING ENVIRONMENTS.

  OUR FY99 IMPROVEMENT REQUEST IS $82 MILLION. THIS AMOUNT REVITALIZES 625 HOMES AT 10 BASES. THIS INCLUDES $36 MILLION FOR 295 HOMES IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, $34 MILLION FOR 330 HOMES OVERSEAS, AND $12 MILLION FOR SIX NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

 NEW CONSTRUCTION

WE ARE REQUESTING $133 MILLION FOR FY99 PROJECTS AT 12 CONUS BASES TO REPLACE 784 EXISTING HOUSES, AND THREE HOUSING AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FACILITIES. THE REPLACEMENT UNITS WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF EXISTING HOMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ECONOMICAL TO MAINTAIN.

 OPERATIONS, UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE

OUR FY99 REQUEST FOR FAMILY HOUSING OPERATIONS, UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE IS $672 MILLION. THESE FUNDS ARE NECESSARY TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE 110,000 HOMES REMAINING IN THE FY99 AIR FORCE INVENTORY. APPROXIMATELY 42 PERCENT OF THIS REQUESTED FUNDING REPRESENTS THE AIR FORCE’S OBLIGATION AS THE LANDLORD FOR ITEMS SUCH AS UTILITIES, REFUSE COLLECTION, AND OTHER KEY SERVICES. THE REMAINING 56 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS ARE FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS TO FIX THE DETERIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, STREETS AND ROOFS.

WE HAVE REQUESTED $129 MILLION FOR P&D AND LEASING. THIS INCLUDES $11 MILLION FOR P&D OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS, AND $118 MILLION FOR LEASING 4,175 DOMESTIC UNITS AND 4,125 FOREIGN HOUSES. THE LEASING PROGRAM SUPPORTS CRITICAL MISSIONS IN NON-TRADITIONAL LOCATIONS, SUCH AS FOREIGN SITES WHERE FAMILY HOUSING IN NOT AVAILABLE, AND FOR RECRUITERS NOT LOCATED NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

  OUR FY99 MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING BUDGET REQUEST REFLECTS OUR POLICY TO ENSURE OUR FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY HOMES; AND MIRRORS OUR STRATEGY TO MODERNIZE ON-BASE HOUSING BY IMPROVING OUR "WORST-FIRST." WE ARE COMMITTED TO IMPROVING RETENTION BY PROVIDING OUR AIR FORCE FAMILIES WITH HOMES AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE COMPARABLE IN DESIGN AND AMENITIES TO PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING. OUR "WHOLE HOUSE - WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD" CONCEPT FOR DEVELOPING A HOUSING COMMUNITY PLAN FOR EACH INSTALLATION CONTINUES TO PUT OUR PEOPLE FIRST BY FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY. WE SEEK TO ACHIEVE A "PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP" MENTALITY WITHIN OUR FAMILY HOUSING COMMUNITY.

 BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNTS

THE AIR FORCE BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE FY99 MILCON REQUEST IS $34.1 MILLION FOR 12 PROJECTS AT FOUR LOCATIONS BASED ON BRAC 1995 DECISIONS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE A COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING COMPLEX AT STEWART INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NEW YORK; THREE PROJECTS AT HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH, TO INCLUDE ALTERATIONS OF A PRODUCT MANAGEMENT/COMPOSITES FACILITY, GTE TEST CELL AND F-117 RADAR FACILITY; THREE PROJECTS AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA, DUE TO THE REALIGNMENT OF KELLY AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS; AND FIVE CLOSURE-RELATED PROJECTS AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE DUE TO THE REALIGNMENT OF KELLY AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS.

  THE AIR FORCE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FY99 BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNTS ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT’S FIVE-PART PROGRAM BY CONTINUING TO TRANSFER PROPERTY AT CLOSURE INSTALLATIONS AS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE TO COMMUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC REINVESTMENT AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. AS PART OF THE DEFENSE BUDGET, THE AIR FORCE REQUEST REFLECTS A THOROUGH REVIEW OF ALL REMAINING REQUIREMENTS AND CAREFUL BUDGETING TO FULFILL VALIDATED REQUIREMENTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE WITHIN THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS OF THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT.

  THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE CONTINUES TO BE COMMITTED TO TIMELY, THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, AND SMOOTH TRANSITION OF CLOSING BASES TO CIVILIAN USES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN ADDITION TO TURNING OVER CLOSURE BASES FOR REUSE, WE CONTINUE THE REALIGNMENT BEDDOWN PROCESS AT REMAINING INSTALLATIONS TO ENSURE BASE CLOSURE NEITHER DISRUPTS OUR OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS NOR ADVERSELY AFFECTS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF THIS COMMITTEE IN HELPING US MEET THESE OBJECTIVES.

  IN CONCLUSION, MR. CHAIRMAN, I THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR ITS STRONG SUPPORT OF THE AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND THE RESULTING BENEFITS TO THE AIR FORCE IN READINESS, RETENTION, RECRUITING, TRAINING AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR PERSONNEL.

  THE FISCAL YEAR 1999 AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION SUBMISSION REFLECTS THE CORPORATE PRIORITIES SUPPORTING THE TOTAL AIR FORCE VISION TO BECOME THE BEST AIR AND SPACE FORCE WHILE WORKING TO MAINTAIN OUR CONSTANTLY DETERIORATING PLANT. OUR INSTALLATIONS CONSTITUTE A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN AIR FORCE READINESS. WE RELY ON OUR BASES TO SERVE AS OUR LAUNCH PLATFORMS AS WELL AS PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO WORK TO EFFECTIVELY PROJECT UNITED STATES AIR AND SPACE POWER. THIS BUDGET SUBMISSION REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS AND TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE REMAINS THE WORLD’S MOST RESPECTED AIR AND SPACE FORCE.

  THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.