{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}
IN TERMS OF OUR OBLIGATIONS AND BEING STRETCHED AND STESED AND
HOLLOW IN REGARDS TO THE MILITARY IT SEEMS TO MEN WE OUGHT TO
BE CAREFUL WHEN TALKING ABOUT OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AIRLIFT
AIRCRAFT. LET ME GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE. I HAVE A
CONGRESSIONAL FELLOW IN MY OFFICE. HE IS AND F-15 PILOT. NOW
KNOW OF ONE CASE WHERE HIS AIRCRAFT IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION
SOUTHERN WATCH, THAT'S TO PREVENT DRUGS FROM COMING INTO THIS
{17:45:35} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
COUNTRY, HAD TO DIVERT DUE TO MAMA SIF FUEL LEAK, AGAIN IN
REGARDS TO THIS OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AIRCRAFT OR AIRLIFT,
BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED IT WAS DISPATCHED WITH MAINTENANCE
CREWS AND THE VERY CRITICAL PARTS TO FIX THE AIRCRAFT VERY
QUICKLY AND RETURN IT TO MISSION READY STATUS. AND THAT'S WHAT
THESE AIRCRAFT ARE USED FOR. AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU HAVE HERE
A STATEMENT THAT ONLY 5% OF THESE AIRCRAFT IN TERMS OF MISSIONS
WERE EVER USED BY GENERALS. HERE IT IS MR. PRESIDENT, IN FISCAL
{17:46:10} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
YEAR 199, LESS THAN 5% OF OPERATIONAL SUPPORT IF WERE GENERALS
OR ADMIRALS. WHAT DOES THE 95% DO?
WELL, THE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AIRLIFT MISSION DOES PROVIDE, AS
DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY THE SECRETARY OF THE
ARMY AND THE COMMANDANT, EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION
OF COMMANDERS, KEY STAFF PERSONNEL, AND KUR YEARS AND CRITICAL
SPARE PARTS AND EQUIPMENT IN SUPPORT OF BOTH PEACETIME AND
WARTIME OPERATIONS. THESE MISSIONS, ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE WHO
{17:46:44} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
FLEW THEM, ARE TYPICALLY UNPREDICTABLE, HIGH PRIORITY. THEY
REQUIRE VERY SHORT NOTICE. IN REGARDS TO THE AIRLIFT TO PEOPLE
AND CARGO AND MAIL. THOSE LIST ARE NORMALLY IN SUPPORT OF
CONTINGENCY DEPLOYMENTS AND LORD KNOWS WE HAVE THOSE TODAY IN
141 NATIONS NOT COME PAT BELL WITH COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION OR
THE LARGER AIRCRAFT. AND THE CRITICAL DELAYS IN THE
TRANSPORTATION OF SENIOR LEADERS KEY STAFF PERSONNEL AND
URGENTLY NEEDED PARTS, SPLICE AND SOFTWARE COULD ULTIMATELY
IMPACT UNIT EFFECTIVENESS AND THE COMBAT READYNESS. I WANT TO
{17:47:18} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
SAY IN CLOSING THAT MY DISTINGUISHED FRIEND FROM PIE WITH A
REFERRED TO A SO-CALLED, I KNOW HE WASN'T BEING SPECIFIC IN
REGARDS TO THE MARINE CORPS, BUT A GENERAL SMITH IN THE MARINE
CORPS WHO WOULD LOOK AROUND TO OTHER GENERALS WHO MIGHT HAVE A
GULFSTREAM OR 727 OR LEER JET OR WHATEVER AND SAY GEE WHIZ, I
WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT PERK. I WANT TO SET THE RECORD
STRAIGHT. I ASKED THE MARINE CORPS. I ASKED THE COMMANDANT.
WHAT ABOUT THIS STATEMENT, MR. COMMANDANT?
I AM TALKING ABOUT GENERAL JIM JONES. THE MEANT COMMON AND THIS
{17:47:52} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
IS THE STATEMENT THAT WORRIED MEN BECAUSE IT IS SIMILAR TO
STATEMENTS MADE ON THE NEARBY PRO POE NEPS OF THIS REALITY. THE
PENTAGON HAS ENOUGH AIRCRAFT TO TAXI GENERALS AN AD MIRLS
AROUND THE WORLD. IN FACT THEY HAVE MORE THAN 300 EXECUTIVE
AIRCRAFT INCLUDING MORE THAN 100 JETS SUITABLE TO TRANSPORT THE
HIGH RANKSING OFFICERS. I ASKED THE COMMANDANT, WILL YOU PLEASE
COMMENT ABOUT THIS STATEMENT?
THIS IS HIS RESPONSE. THE THREE UC-5'S ARE NOR ACTIVE MARINE
CORPS FORCES NOT THE NAVY. THE MARINE CORPS DOES NOT -- DOES
{17:48:25} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
NOT -- DOES NOT -- PROVIDE EXECUTIVE AIRLIFT. LET ME REPEAT
THAT. THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS ACCORDING TO THE
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS, DOES NOT PROVIDE EXECUTIVE
AIRLIFT. THE MARINE CORPS HAS A SMALL FLEET FLEET OF 24 OF
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AIRLIFT, AIRCRAFT THAT ARE TIED DIRECTLY TO
A JOINT STAFF VALVE DATED WARTIME REQUIREMENT. THESE AIRCRAFT
SUPPORT OUR MARINE FORCES DEPLOYED AROUND THE WORLD. THE NEED
TO REPLACE AND THIS IS WHAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE WAS
{17:49:00} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TRYING TO POINT OUT AGENT BEING OBSOLETE CT-39-G AIRCRAFT HAS
BEEN ACCELERATED BY TWO OF THE MARINE CORPS'S REMAINING CT-39'S
TO THE NAVY. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE OBSOLETE AIRCRAFT. THAT'S
NOTHING KNEW FOR THE MARINE CORPS. AT LEAST WE DON'T HAVE THAT.
THE INCREASED PERFORMANCE AND SHORT FIELD CAPABILITY, AND MR.
PRESIDENT, I CONTINUE WITH THE ANSWER IN REGARD TO THAT
STATEMENT, THAT HAS BEEN STATED BITCH THE COMMANDANT, THE
INCREASED PERFORMANCE IN SHORT FIELD UTILITY THE PLANE WILL
{17:49:31} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
ENSURE SUPPORT TO FORWARD DEPLOYED MA PREEN CORE NORSES AND
REMAINS WELL VIABLE INTO THE 2ST CENTURY. LET ME POINT OUT THE
MARINE CORPS PLACED THREE UC-30'S AND AGAIN I AM QUOTING FROM
THE COMMANDANT "ON THE COMMANDANT FISCAL YEAR 00 UNFUNDED
PRIORITY LIST IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE DELIVERY TO THE WEST COAST
AND OKINAWA TO SUPPORT THE MARINE NORSES. THESE MISSIONS ARE
TYPICALLY UNPREPARTICULAR TABLE. THEY ARE HIGH PRIORITY. THEY
{17:50:05} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
REQUIRE SHORT NOTICE AIRLIFT OF PEOPLE CARGO AND MAIL. THESE
LIFTS ARE NORMALLY IN SUPPORT OF CON CONTINUE GENERAL SIP
DEPLATES. NOT COME PAT BELL WITH COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION AND
COMMON USER AIR LIFE OR OTHER ORGANIC AIRLIFT. THAT IS A LONG
WAYS FROM BEING MOLLY CODDLED OR THINKING YOU MUST HAVE A PERK
AIRCRAFT BECAUSE SOME OTHER ADMIRAL OR GENTLEMEN MIGHT HAVE A
PERK AIRCRAFT. I GRIEF WITH THE SENATOR FROM IOWA AND
{17:50:37} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
CALIFORNIA THAT WE MUST MAKE SURE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AS
KATED BY THEIR RESPONSE, ADHERES TO THE G.A. OR REPORT. WITHOUT
QUESTION. NOBODY WANTS TO SOAK THE TAXPAYERS FOR ANY KIND OF
GENERAL SPECIAL FLEET. THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS DOES. THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD STRIKE NINE, AGAIN NINE, UNFUNDED PRIORITY
REQUESTS BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY. THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY AND THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS. I WILL PUT
THAT.COM AT THE END OF MY REMARKS AND WOULD HOPE PEOPLE PAPER
ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND I
{17:51:10} (MR. ROBERTS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
WOULD HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WOULD POSE THE AMENDMENT.
{17:51:16 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE TIME EXPIRED.
{17:51:18 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM HAWAII IS RECOGNIZED
NOR TEN MINUTES.
{17:51:30 NSP} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. INOUYE: MR. PRESIDENT, I AM NOT A PILOT, HOWEVER I BELIEVE
THAT IN THIS BODY I SPEND MORE TIME ON AIRCRAFT THAN OTHER
MEMBERS. MY HOME IS IN HAWAII. WHENEVER I LEAVE THE CITY OF
WASHINGTON TO RETURN HOME, I MUST PREPARE MYSELF FOR 11 HOURS
AND 15 MINUTES OF FLIGHT TIME. IN THAT SENSE I BELIEVE I AM AN
{17:52:04} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
EXPERIENCED PERSON WHEN IT COMES TO FLYING. HOWEVER, IN MY
CASE, BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE SCHEDULE IN THE UNITED
STATES SENATE, WE CANNOT MAKE RESERVATIONS THREE, FOUR MONTHS
AHEAD OF TIME. I HAVE HAD A RESERVATION FOR THIS FRIDAY, BUT I
JUST CANCELLED THAT BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE HANDLING
APPROPRIATIONS MEASURES. AS A RESULT, IF SOMETHING SHOULD COME
ABOUT MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO FLY BACK TO HAWAII THIS
FRIDAY, WHO KNOWS?
{17:52:40} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
I MAY BE ABLE TO GET A FLIGHT. LEAVING AT SOME STRANGE HOUR.
ECONOMY CLASS, WHICH I DON'T MIND. BUT AT THE END OF THE TRIP I
USUALLY CAN GET HOME TO MY APARTMENT AND SPEND AN EVENING OF
REST. BUT THE MEN WHO FLY THESE PLANES HAVE SPECIAL
RESPONSIBILITIES. WHEN THEY GET ON A NIGHT TO GO TO RUSSIA,
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ESCORT TODAY A FANCY HOTEL AS SOON AS
{17:53:25} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THEY LAND. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO GO TO A MEETING AT THAT POINT.
THE LEAST WE CAN PROVIDE OUR COMMANDERS IS SOME REST AND SOME
COMFORT BEFORE THEY GET INTO SOME BIG BUSINESS. SECONDLY, THESE
ARE NOT JUST ANY OLD AIRCRAFT. IT HAS TO BE SPECIALLY EQUIPPED.
IN WARTIME AND IN PEACETIME THESE PLANES ARE THEIR
{17:53:58} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
HEADQUARTERS. THEY MAKE COMMAND DECISIONS ON THESE FLIGHTS.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN UNDER
THEIR COMMAND AT ALL TIMES. WE ARE FORTUNATE, IN A SENSE WE ARE
8 TO 8 EMPLOYEES. WE GET TO WORK ABOUT O'CLOCK, AND WE LEAVE
WORK ABOUT 8 O'CLOCK. A MILITARY COMMANDER IS LIKE A POLICE
{17:54:33} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OFFICER. HE IS ON DUTY 24 HOURS A DAY. THESE AIRCRAFT MUST BE
EQUIPED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIS RESPONSIBILITY OF
24 HOUR A DAY RESPONSIBILITY. SECONDLY, YES, WE DO HAVE 71 LEER
JETS IN THE INIS VEIN TORE AT THIS TIME. THAT'S A LARGE FLEET.
71 LEER JETS. THESE LITTLE -- LEAR JETS. THESE LITTLE THINGS.
BUT THEY ARE GETTING PRETTY OLD. AND INADEQUATE FOR THE
{17:55:08} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
ASSIGNMENTS. SO WITHIN FIVE YEARS ABOUT 45 ARE GOING TO BE
RETIRED. AND WITHIN TEN YEARS, YOU WILL FIND THAT ALL OF THESE
JET WOULD BE GONE. SECONDLY, WE HAVE 70'S. I DON'T KNOW HOW
MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN FLYING ON -- 707'S. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY
OF YOU HAVE BEEN FLYING ON 77'S. THEY ARE CONSIDERED OLD. 35
YEARS OLD. WEAPON WILL HAVE TO, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT,
RETIRE THESE AIRCRAFT. WE HAVE C-22'S. THE 727. THEY ARE 25
{17:55:45} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
YEARS OLD. THEY CAN'T LAST FOR OF. THEY ARE GOING TO BE RETIRED
PRETTY SOON. THIRD CONSIDERATION, THIS PROVISION IN OUR BILL
DOES NOT SPECIFY THE NAME OF THE AIRCRAFT. AND WE DO THIS
DELIBERATELY, MR. PRESIDENT. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO FAVOR ONE
COMPANY OVER ANOTHER. IF WE PUT IN THE GI THEN WE ARE FAVORING
{17:56:22} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
ONE COMPANY, THE GREW MANS. IF WE PUT IN SOMETHING ELSE --
GRUMMANS. IF WE PUT IN SOMETHING ELSE, WE ARE FAVORING ANOTHER
COMPANY. WE WANT THIS TO GO INTO A COMPETITIVE SYSTEM, AND I
THINK WE HAVE FULFILLED THAT REQUIREMENT BY THIS AMENDMENT.
BUT JOE ALL, MR. PRESIDENT, THERE IS ANOTHER CONSIDERATION. WE
HAVE BEEN SPEAKING OF ADMIRALS AND GENERALS. MUCH OF THE TIME
YOU WILL FIND THAT THESE AIRCRAFT ARE BEING USED BY OUR CIVIL
{17:56:55} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
YAP LEADERS. CABINET -- CIVILIAN LEADERS. CABINET PEOPLE. JUST
TWO DAYS AGO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WENT TO SYRIA TO DAMASCUS
TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT ASSAD.
SHE DID NOT GO ON PAN-AMERICAN OR TWA. SHE WENT ON A MILITARY
AIRCRAFT. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU AMERICANS WOULD WANT OUR
{17:57:35} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
SECRETARY OF STATE TO TRAVEL IN AN AIRCRAFT WORTHY OF HER
POSITION. SURE, WE CAN EASILY SAY UNITED AIRLINES IS GOOD
ENOUGH FOR ME WHY ISN'T IT GOOD ENOUGH FOR GENERAL SO AND SO.
WELL, IF HE IS GOING HOME FOR VACATION, HE SHOULD TAKE UNITED
AIRLINES OR DELTA OR WHATEVER AIR LINES HE WANTS TO TALK. BUT
THESE AIRCRAFT ARE BEING USED NOT FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES, MR.
PRESIDENT. IT'S BEEN USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSE. AND I HOPE THAT
{17:58:09} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
WE WILL UNDERSTAND THIS. AND I HOPE THAT WHEN THE VOTE IS
CALLED WE WILL VOTE AGAINST THIS. I WOULD SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUES
FROM IOWA AND CALIFORNIA IF I HAD ANY TIME -- IF I AT ANY TIME
FELT THAT THESE AIRCRAFT WERE PERKS. MR. PRESIDENT, THEY ARE
NOT PERKS. ANY PERSON WHO IS WILLING TO COMMAND TROOPS AND
STAND IN HARM'S WAY IN MY BEHALF AND IN BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF
{17:58:46} (MR. INOUYE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE UNITED STATES I SAY A GV IS GOOD FOR THEM. IF WE -- G-V IS
GOOD FOR THEM. IF WE GET SOMETHING BETTER THAN THAT, SO BE IT.
NOTHING IS TOO GOOD FOR THEM. SO MR. PRESIDENT, I HOPE THAT MY
COLLEAGUES WILL SUPPORT THE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGERS OF THIS
MEASURE AND VOTE AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT. THANK YOU, SIR.
{17:59:04 NSP} (MR. STEVENS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. STEVENS: HOW MUCH TIME REMAINS, MR. PRESIDENT?
{17:59:11 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ALASKA HAS 33 MINUTES
-- 23 MINUTES. THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA HAS FOUR MINUTES.
{17:59:16 NSP} (MR. STEVENS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. STEVENS: I DIDN'T HEAR. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE LEFT?
{17:59:19 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: 23 MINUTES.
{17:59:20 NSP} (MR. STEVENS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. STEVENS: AND THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA?
{17:59:24 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: FOUR MINUTES.
{17:59:27 NSP} (MR. STEVENS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. STEVENS: I YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA TWO MINUTES
AND I APOLOGIZE. SHE DID RECOGNIZE ME FOR A FOUR-LINE COMMENT.
MR. PRESIDENT, I YIELD MYSELF JUST WHAT TIME I USE TO MAKE THIS
STATEMENT. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RAISED HERE ABOUT LARGE AIRCRAFT.
THAT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE. WE HAVE GONE BACK AND CHECKED WHAT
THIS ISSUE IS. THIS IS SUPPORT AIRCRAFT. THE AIR FORCE TOLD US
TODAY THEY WILL HAVE TO ADD $900 MILLION TO THE BUDGET TO
{17:59:57} (MR. STEVENS) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE THE EXISTING SUPPORT AIRCRAFT FOR THE NEXT
TEN YEARS.
{END: 2000/06/13 TIME: 18-00 , Tue. 106TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}
{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}