Evening star., 1952-01-21
't43-Wing Air Force
Would Get Impetus in
Armed Services Fund
By John A. Giles


The SSH billion which Presi-
dent Truman requested today for
the armed services for the next
fiscal year would start a build-up
to a modern l43-wing Air Force
by late 1855 or early 1866.
Air officials had sought funds
for the increase from the pres
emily authorized 95 wings by the
end Of 1854 but top department
Officials nevertheless expressed
satisfaction with the program.
The armed manpower would be
increased from its January l
total of 3.427.000 to $500. 900.
most Of the increase going to the
Air Force.
Doubles 81 Figure.
The military budget is $l1.4 bill
lion above the current fiscal year
and more than double that Of
fiscal 1851. Sixty cents out Of
every tax dollar would be spent
by the military.
Assistant Defense Secretary
w. j. Mcneil. Defense Department
controller, said. however, that the
overall spending rate would be
lower than originally planned for
next year.
Mr.. Truman estimated that BY
1854 the military expansion will
have been completed. and that
next year I'VE will have reached
Ior passed the peak production
rates for all OF our major military
items except some Of the new
model aircraft and some weapons.
not yet in production" -.
The President also asked for
authority to issue new defense
contracts totalling $52.4 billion
next year, compared with $61.7
billion this year and $5Q.7 billion
in 1851. He said the smaller figure
was possible because much Of the
lobligational authority required
already had been provided BY
congress.
Breakdown on Total.
Here's q breakdown on ID the
services proposed expenditures
and (2) their obligational au- =,
thority next year:
Army-$16.S billion and $14.2.
billion. +.
Napy-$l2.2 billion and $l3.2
billion. -..> ...
Air Force-$1s.9 billion and
$20.7 billion. i
Mr.. Truman plans to transmit
later recommendations for SIS
billion obligational authority for
public works, pay raises, etc.
This is how the services would
fare under MIR. Truman's plan: 5
Army-21 divisions and sup
porting elements. An average
strength Of 1,552,000 compared
with 100000 now) on active
duty and an average strength Of ;
298, ,000J National Guardsmen and
215, 900 organized reservists in
drill pay status. Mr.. Mcneil ex-
planned what appeared to be q
cutback in Army strength by
saying that that service now was
carrying q heavier than usual
training load. .- :
4 Procurement Split.
Navy-An active fleet Of 408
major combatant and 783 other
ships, 16 carrier air groups (there,
are IA now) and three Marine
divisions compared with 21s at
present) and supporting elements
Including the Marine Corps 237.-
900. They now have 100, 900 and
1910 respectively.
! Air Force-An average strength
of 1,018,000, with 1900 In the
Air National Guard and $4,000 in
the air reserve in drill pay status.
I Here's the way the services
would split the $21.7 procurement
total:
Army-$3.6 billion, IS per cent
going for major procurement, in
cluding $36 million for aircraft
and 5000 million for guided mis-
stiles. .. ..
Navy-$6.1 billion, 46 per cent
for major procurement including
I$2.3 billion for airplanes and $500
million for missiles.
Air Force-$12 billion, So per
cent for major procurement, with
$8.7 billion for aircraft and $500
million for missiles.
Increase In Research Fund.
The 1853 recommendation for
SIT billion for research and
development compares with SIS
billion this year and $1.2 billion
in 1851.
"As a result of research and
development work done in the
past few years, cur forces are
now being equipped with new
TYPES Of weapons and equipment
far superior to those Of World
War H." Mr.. Truman said.
| The stockpile of critical ma
terials will be increased from $3.3
billion as Of last October 81 to IS
billion In June, 1853, with an
additional SIT billion worth Of
materials on order.
Mr.. Truman asked Congress TO
make q study to determine
whether future obligations for
military retirement should be met
by q contributory system in which
career military personnel and the
Government share in the estab-
Ilishment and maintenance Of o
retirement fund"