Evening star., 1933-12-02
MERGER IS SOUGHT
|FOR us. AIR FORCES
Consolidation Of Army and
Coast Guard Units Is
Advocated. |
Continued From First page.)

entered into to free the Navy from the
detailed duty Of protecting thousands Of
miles of coasts and so hampering it In
its primary function Of coping with
enemy fleets, it was pointed out by ad-
vocates of the Coast Guardian Corps
consolidation. To turn the Coast Guard
over to the Navy would tie the Navy
down in part to an elaborate system Of
bases along the shore and on inland
waterways.
The Army Air Corps has been in
trusted with coastal defense operations
in a zone tentatively fixed up at 300
miles of the co"-'-. Such defense calls
not only for - but surface operations,
both in war and peace times. A con-
solidation Of the Coast Guard, particu-
larly Coast Guard aviation, with the
Air Corps, 1t was pointed out, would re-
suit in combination Of present Coast
Guard patrol functions and routine
training Of air defense squadrons. This
blending Of peace and war functions. It
is believed, not only would result in
economies Of considerable importance,
but also greater peace and war EN-
cheney.
The use Of combined Air Corps and
Coast Guard radio and ground COM
munications systems along the coasts
also would result in greater efficiency
both in peace and war, it is contended.
There is now pending before the
Public Works Administration proposal
which has the backing Of many men,
bers OF Congress and officers Of the Air
Corps for the construction of chain
of air frontier defense bases at which
would be concentrated Air Corps
coastal patrol and bombardment squad
rons. Each of these bases would cost
less than single 10.000-ton cruiser and
10 of them would provide adequate de-
fense against any present world power
which could be brought against this
country, it is believed.
Radio Considered Vital.
This system would provide for regular
patrolling of every mile of the coun-
try's sea coast and would set up a net
Of radio communications for mainte-
nance Of constant communications be-
tween the bases and squadronS patrol
ling the coasts. duplicating a large part
of the Coast Guards activities.
Representative Wilcox of Florida.
who Is leading the congressional activity
in behalf of the air frontier defense
plan. pointed out that the necessity for
adequate defense is increased by the
failure Of this country to keep its Navy
up to treaty strength and to bring the
Air Corps up to the minimum require
ments set up under the so-called five
year" plan which still is incomplete
after seven years.
The defensive effect Of an air frontier
defense unit Of the type which has been
proposed, he said. would be immeasur-
ably superior to that afforded by cruis-
ers against an invading force.
He pointed out nat an air frontier
unit. which would cost less than
single cruiser for land buildings, air
planes and all equipment, would pro-
vide 1913 defensive units. The planes
of single unit, he said, could place
So. 500 pounds of explosive at any point
within q radius of $50 miles in two
hours. A l0,000-ton cruiser with nine
8-inch guns. firing at a rate OF two
rounds per minute, would require
hours and % minutes to place an equal
amount Of explosives on a target.
Air Force Held Much Faster.
He added that 1t would require 13
hours for a cruiser travelling at speed
Of "a knots to cover $50 miles, there
by cons ming II hours and % min
! utes to accomplish the mission which
could be performed by a less expen-
sive air defense unit in two hours.
Addition to the Air Corps OF the
10000 officers and men of the Coast
Guard would provide a complete air
and surface defensive unit which would
protect the Nation against foreign in
vasion by air or sea, it is argued by
| supporters Of the plan, during the
period required for mobilization Of the
industries and manpower Of the coun-
| try.
In view Of the developments Of the
past two years in long-range planes,
the Nation must be prepared on few
hours notice to defend itself against
enemy air raids in case Of war. No
time will be allowed for construction
of air defenses, it was pointed out, and
the only guarantee of safety is con-
tanned in the maintenance Of air de-
lenses sufdcient to deal with any known
potential enemy force. Such a de-
Tense organization could be built up
through the suggested Air Corps Coast
Guard consolidation, in the belief Of
those who are supporting the plan.