Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-02
THE NATIONAL SCENE
No Wild Blue
For the Army

Defense Secretary Charles E.
Wilson, in the most extensive reas-
signment OF military service mis-
sions since unification began In
earnest in 1948, last week told the
Army that it is essentially ground
force. The effect Of the Secretary's
decree was to cut back the Army's
burgeoning "air force" and conf1ne
its role in the air to battlefield
puddle-jumping and short-range
missiles.
Thus the growing dispute be-
tween the Army and its own off,
spring, the Air Force, was settled
but perhaps only momentarily. The
Army still has influential friends in
Congress who will have some sug-
gestions to make after January 3.
The principal decisions of the
Wilson memorandum would:
. Reserve the 5,000-mile intercon-
tinental ballistic missile. still under
development, and the intermediate
range missiles to the exclusive use
of the Air Force. The Army gen.
orally will be limited to missiles Of
not more than 100 miles range, but
may keep its 200-mile "Redstone."
. Define the combat zone for
which the Army will be responsible
as one within a radius of 100 miles.
. Consider a reduction of the Air
Force goal of 1877 wings. This rec
ognizes the Army's increasing capa-
bility, especially in its new role, to
handle short-range tactical support
with Army missiles.
. Limit the Army aviation pro-
gram to aircraft that can be used
only for Small-scale battle zone
missions, reserving the high mobile
airborne lift requirements of the
Army to Air Force planes.
Although the Army's radius Of
tactical responsibility in the air
was extended from the present so
miles to 100 miles, this decision also
confined its historic anti-aircraft
defense role to points within areas
rather than over entire areas, the
latter role reserved to the Air Force.
About the only balm this move
provided the Army was the permits
sion not only to retain its system of
Nike missiles, but also to take over
the Air Forces TaloS.
Doshed Hopes
The Army, with its ambitious
aviation plans, had hoped to build
up q highly mobile, quick-striking
airborne force lifted by its own
planes. Mr.. Wilson, instead, has
said in effect that when this opera
ton is required, the Air Force will
supply the transportation. But many
Army partisans believe that the air.
lift facilities provided by the Air
Force will be so small as to be of
little use-probably not enough to
lift a whole division. Some Strate-
gists feel that several ready divisions
Of completely airborne troops is the
best answer to Communist "volun-
teers"-not merely push button big
ness.
There was also resentment over
the limitation of Army missile
range, restriction regarded by
some as in effect freezing" the
further Army development of mis-
siles, such as the RedStone, which
may have increasingly valuable
potentials. The Army may continue
tests of such weapons. but since it
may not use them, there will be less
inclination to further development.
The arbitrary designation of the
size Of areas of responsibility
brought to mind the old order, soon
proved to be ill-considered, which
limited Army Air Force flights over
the sea to 300 miles from shore.
The memorandum repeatedly had
the support of President Eisen-
hover, which in part accounted for
the Army's tacit acquiescence to
the grand wing clipping by Mr..
Wilson. Though ne would have
been within his rights in appealing
to the White House. no protest was
heard from Army Chief of Staff
Maxwell D. Taylor.
But it would not be in character
for the Army brass to endure what
1t considers to be a gross indignity
without a fight, though whatever
struggle results will likely be con-
fined to the underground. Some
Of the resistance will come through
the Interpretation the respective
chiefs give the order. Some of it
will come indirectly from the Pen
tagon via Congress. where each
service has its friends.
Already the Air Force has re-
ceived an encouraging word from
Senator Dennis Chavez, Democrat
Of New Mexico, who is chairman
Of a military appropriations sub
committee. Senator Chavez says
he will resist any effort to reduce
the Air Force target Of 1877 wings.