Chapter 6: National Defense under the Rockefeller administration (Part II)
Sergeant Foley
Well-known member
NATIONAL DEFENSE (PART II):
*President Rockefeller's budget increases during his 3 1/2 years in office designed to maintaining and improving US military capabilities.
*New main battle tanks for the United States Army moved from development to production phases.
*New helicopters and anti-tank missile systems reinforced the Army's arsenals.
*Production took place on the Trident submarine missile fleet, with the keel of the first vessel already laid.
*Tactical Air Forces strengthened with additions of the F-15s; F-16 and F-18 high performance aircraft.
*Launched the procurement phase of over 200 B-1 bombers replacing aging B-52s.
*Continued development of the cruise missile and an improved intercontinental ballistic missile.
*Improvements were made in the combat power; equipment and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve components.
*Rockefeller's initial budget request for 16 new Navy ships: 32% increase over the average ship building in previous administrations= President Rockefeller later asked for additional money for five more ships plus advance funding for new Nimitz class aircraft carriers. Among the new ships included the following: three more nuclear powered attack submarines; eight guided missile frigates.
*Pushed for the following measures to increase the efficiency of the defense establishment:
*Restrained the growth of compensation levels;
*Reduced civilian personnel positions by consolidating headquarters and other base facilities;
*Eliminated dual compensation for federal employees on active duty for training with the National Guard and Reserves;
*Reduced temporary duty and permanent charge-of-station travels;
*Reduced petroleum consumption for proficiency flying programs through greater use of small aircfraft and ground training aids and holding new construction around 1978 levels.
*New main battle tanks for the United States Army moved from development to production phases.
*New helicopters and anti-tank missile systems reinforced the Army's arsenals.
*Production took place on the Trident submarine missile fleet, with the keel of the first vessel already laid.
*Tactical Air Forces strengthened with additions of the F-15s; F-16 and F-18 high performance aircraft.
*Launched the procurement phase of over 200 B-1 bombers replacing aging B-52s.
*Continued development of the cruise missile and an improved intercontinental ballistic missile.
*Improvements were made in the combat power; equipment and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve components.
*Rockefeller's initial budget request for 16 new Navy ships: 32% increase over the average ship building in previous administrations= President Rockefeller later asked for additional money for five more ships plus advance funding for new Nimitz class aircraft carriers. Among the new ships included the following: three more nuclear powered attack submarines; eight guided missile frigates.
*Pushed for the following measures to increase the efficiency of the defense establishment:
*Restrained the growth of compensation levels;
*Reduced civilian personnel positions by consolidating headquarters and other base facilities;
*Eliminated dual compensation for federal employees on active duty for training with the National Guard and Reserves;
*Reduced temporary duty and permanent charge-of-station travels;
*Reduced petroleum consumption for proficiency flying programs through greater use of small aircfraft and ground training aids and holding new construction around 1978 levels.
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