From: CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>
Subject: DoD News 01/11/93 
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 16:42:53 GMT


From CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>

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  <<>> Assistant Secretary Of Defense                                    <<>>
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* Ringing in New President, Vice President
* Aspin Testifies Before Senate Committee
* MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS                    January 11, 1993 
* DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACT AWARDS

==================================================================

Ringing in New President, Vice President

American Forces Information Service

     Bells will act as a unifying sound for all Americans Jan. 17,
1993.
     As part of the presidential inaugural, the "Bells for Hope"
event will begin the festivities leading to the swearing in of
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
     The simultaneous nationwide bell-ringing is set for 6 p.m.
EST.
     Defense officials have determined this is an appropriate event
for posts, bases and installations to participate in.  
     "In one powerful and unifying moment, all Americans can sound
a message that we are one country dedicated to the principles of
national unity, common purpose and equality of opportunity," said
inaugural co-chairman Harry Thomason.  "A simple act of reunion and
renewal, the ringing of the bell also will pay homage to the great
leaders of our past -- Jefferson, Lincoln and King -- that we will
honor that day."
     Clinton, Gore and their families will ring a replica of the
Liberty Bell set up at the gates of Arlington (Va.) National
Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
     The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Association of Independent
Colleges and Schools and the National Council of Churches are among
organizations taking part. 
     Organizers are working with NASA to place an electronic bell
aboard the space shuttle Endeavour.
     For more information call 1-800-BELLS93.

Aspin Testifies Before Senate Committee

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Information Service

     Secretary of Defense nominee Les Aspin told the Senate Armed
Services Committee in confirmation hearings that the United States
must re-create the world and that a strong, technologically
advanced military is needed.
     The Wisconsin representative, chairman of the House Armed
Services Committee for the past seven years, said DoD has two sets
of challenges.  The first is to maintain the superb quality of the
force and its weapon systems.  The second is to cope with the
dangers of the rapidly transforming world.  
     "The men and women in today's armed forces are among the
finest who have ever served," Aspin said.  "We must maintain this
quality as we go about the inevitable reducing of our forces.  We
must deal fairly with those leaving as well as those staying in the
force."
     High-technology issues and the defense industrial base are
parts of Aspin's concerns.  He said during the Cold War the United
States faced an adversary that fielded large numbers of new weapon
systems.  The United States was forced to reply with fewer systems,
but with superior technology and performance.  
     "With the end of the Cold War, the need to continuously field
new generations of weapons has receded, but high technology has
proven to be more valuable," he said.  Aspin cited the war with
Iraq and said precision weapons reduced casualties and "arguably"
brought a more rapid end to the war.
     The problem is how does the United States field ever more
sophisticated weapon systems without the large-scale production
runs of the past?  Aspin said DoD is addressing and will continue
to address those problems.
     Aspin said the United States faces four dangers in the new
world.  The first is a nuclear danger.  Aspin said that while the
Strategic Arms Reduction Talks treaty recently signed by President
George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin reduces the danger
from the superpowers, the danger from small-scale or single use of
nuclear weapons has increased.  
     He said the Soviet Union possessed thousands of small nuclear
weapons.  The breakup of the Soviet Union has put the security of
these weapons at risk.  "The size of the Soviet nuclear weapons
program guaranteed large numbers of people with weapons-making
knowledge, knowledge that could wind up on the world market," he
said.  Aspin said the United States must deal with this problem,
and he praised the Senate committee for legislation toward that
end.
     Aspin's second concern rises from regional, ethnic and
religious conflicts.  While these conflicts don't directly threaten
the United States, they are serious.  "The threats posed today are
potentially threatened vital interests," he said.  Aspin cited
Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait and his control of Kuwaiti oil
as a threat to U.S. vital interests. 
     He said the ethnic and religious violence in Yugoslavia
"threatens the rest of the region and provokes calls for action
based upon conscience."
     The third concern arises from the possibility of the failure
of reform in the former Soviet Union.  "Democracies tend to make
war less, support terrorism less, and make and keep better
treaties," Aspin said.  "The rise of dictatorships in the former
Soviet republics would really mean a less peaceful world."
     The fourth concern is the U.S. economy and the role DoD must
play in conversion of defense industries to domestic production.  
     Aspin told the senators that improving the economy is an
important part of national defense.  "Economic well-being is vital
to our national security," he said.  "The Defense Department has a
specific role to play in conversion, reinvestment."
    Aspin said President-elect Bill Clinton has given his policy
guidance.  Reviving the economy is Clinton's first priority. 
Clinton said an anemic, debt-ridden economy undermines U.S.
diplomacy.  "Abroad, the president-elect wants the United States
firmly on the side of global movements toward democracy and market
economies," he said.  
     Aspin said the Department of Defense and the country face many
challenges.  "Our armed forces have shown themselves to be strong
and resilient institutions," he said.  "If we are not watchful, the
overall health of the forces could suffer, even as we deal
successfully with the specifics of these challenges."


                                                 No. 006-M 


MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS                    January 11, 1993 


       The Department of the Army announced today its intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for disposal and reuse of Hamilton Army
Airfield, California

       Mandated by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1988, Public
Law 100-526, the Commission on Base Closure and Realignment recommended the
closure and disposal of Hamilton Army Airfield, the retention of a Reserve
Component enclave, and construction of facilities essential to support Reserve
Component training.  

       The public will be invited to participate in the scoping process, the
review of the draft EIS, and a public meeting.  The time and location of the
scoping meeting, expected to be scheduled no later than March 1993, will be
announced in local news media.  Release of the draft EIS for public comment and
the time and location of the public meeting also will be announced in local
news media.  

                                    -END- 


DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACT AWARDS
(NOT FOR USE BEFORE 5:00 P.M. EST JANUARY 11, 1993)

                                     NAVY

	Halter Marine, Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi, is being awarded a $34,682,182
fixed-price-incentive contract for the detail design and construction of one
(1) AGOR-24 Oceanographic Research Ship with options for two (2) additional
ships.  Work will be performed in Gulfport, Mississippi, and is expected to be
completed by January 1996.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the
current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured with 13 bids
solicited and four bids received.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington,
D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-93-C-2302).

	Alpha Marine Services, Galliano, Louisiana, is being awarded a $16,003,800
firm-fixed-price contract (with cost reimbursable elements) for the charter of
C-Tractor tugs.  Alpha Marine will provide harbor services using five U.S. flag
tugs in the Kings Bay, provide harbor services using five U.S. flag tugs in the
Kings Bay, Georgia area.  The tugs will support the movement of Trident
submarines and their auxiliary ships.  Four of the tugs will operate in direct
continuation of the existing contract.  The fifth ship will be constructed and
delivered to Alpha Marine Service during the contract delivery period.  The
contract performance period covers a 17-month time period and two additional
17-month options.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured with 250 bids solicited
and two bids received.  The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Washington,
D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-93-C-1305).

                                     -END-


-- 
         
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