Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-27

we were starting fresh with a
clean sheet of paper. so to speak,
or could set up a theoretically
perfect organization and division
Of responsibilities between the
Military Departments. Assign
ment OF responsibilities must
continue to recognize the prect,.
dents Of the past and the avail
ability OF men and facilities for
carrying out assigned missions.
In spite of the differences of
opinion which may exist, there
are times when conditions
require that changes should be
made in administrative RESPONSE
bilities and at such times
decisions are mandatory. That
Is the situation now.
No basic changes in the pres
ent roles and missions of the
armed services are necessary but
the development of new wea-
pons and of new strategic con-
ceptS. together with the nine
years operating experience by
the Department Of Defense have
pointed up the need for some
Qualification and clearer inter-
probation of the roles and mis-
sions Of the armed services.
To Avoid Duplication
We have recognized the need
for a review Of these matters
and from time to time certain
steps have been taken, and we
are now taking others to i'm
prove the effectiveness of our
overall military establishment, to
avoid unnecessary duplication Of
activities and functions, and to
utilize most effectively the funds
made available by the people
through Congress.
We have recently reviewed five
important problem areas which
need to be cleared up. The rec
concentrations of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff in regard to these
matters have been carefully
considered and their differences
Of opinion carefully weighed. /. 4.
These matters are being resolved
as follows:
1. USE OF AIRCRAFT
BY UNITED STATES ARMY
In matters affecting the use
Of aircraft by the United States
Army, the combat zone is defined
as extending not more than 100
miles forward of the general
line Of contact between United
States and enemy ground forces.
Its extension to the rear of the
general line of contact will be
designated by the appropriate
field commander, and normally
extends back Of the front lines
about 100 miles.
The Army Aviation Program
will consist Of those types of
aircraft required to carry out
the following Army functions
envisaged within the combat
zone: ~
a. Command. liaison. and
communications.
b. Observation. visual and
photog rap hic reconnaissance,
fire adjustment, and topograph-
zeal survey.
c. Airlift of Army personnel
and materiel.
d. Aeromedical evacuation.
The Army Aircraft Program
to carry out these functions will
be subject to the following linn
itations:
a. Fixed wing aircraft. con-
vertiplanes. and vertical short
take-off and landing aircraft
will have an empty weight not
to exceed 5000 pounds. Rotary
wing aircraft will have an empty
weight not to exceed 10000
pounds. Specific exceptions to
weight limitations for specific
aircraft for specific purposes may
be granted by the Secretary of
Defense.
b. The provision of a limited
airlift capability within the Army
Aviation Program shall not serve
as a basis for increasing or de-
creasing Air Force forces neces-
sary to support or protect the
Army airlift forces. Provision Of
this limited airlift capability will
apply only to small combat units
and limited quantities of ma
terrell to improve local mobility,
and not to the provision of an
airlift capabillty sufficient for
the large-scale movement of
sizeable Army combat units
which would infringe on the mis-
sion Of the Air Force.
C. AS limited Army Aviation
airlift capability becomes avail
able to active Army Forces, pro-
vision should be made for COM
pensation reductions in other
forms Of Army transportation
designed to operate within the
cambat zone.
d. The Army Aviation pro-
gram will not provide for air.
craft to perform the following
functions:
Cd Strategic and tactical air.
lift.
"a Airlift Of Army supplies,
equipment, personnel and units
from exterior points to points
within Army combat zone.
tb) Airlift for evacuation of
personnel and materiel from
Army combat zone.
Cc) Airlift for air movement
OF troops, supplies and equip
ment in the initial and subse-
quent phases Of airborne opera
tions.
I'D Aeromedical evacuation
from Air Force operating loca-
tons within the combat zone
through Air Force casualty stag
ing units TO hospital facilities
outside combat zone. and aero
medical evacuation from an air
head or an airborne objective
area where airborne operation