We restate, however, our long-held conviction that a sufficient defense posture must include a balanced mix of mutually supportive land, sea, and air forces. We are encouraged by the impending reduction in nuclear weapons, but we believe the nation still requires a significant residual capability in all three legs of the strategic Triad of manned bombers, landbased missiles, and seabased missiles. In our judgment, the United States will not long maintain the relative combat advantages it now holds without continued improvements to its long-range power projection forces, including fighter and bomber forces. It is imperative that the smaller US forces of the future have every edge that improved technology can give them. In addition to sustained modernization of major weapon systems, the missions ahead will require the development of increased capabilities in such areas as battlefield surveillance, targeting, and precision strike.
Force structure is but one element in military capability.
When reductions are of the magnitude now planned, however, force size becomes an increasingly important factor. Between 1987 and 1997, the Department of Defense will lose more than one million people from the ranks of its active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian components. The active-duty Air Force will drop by 29 percent. We understand the reasons for the drawdown and recognize that it is a necessary element in the regeneration of forces for the future. We share, however, in the anguish the reductions cause to so many individuals who have served the nation so well.