NAVAL RESERVE PROGRAM STATEMENT OF COMDR. P. P. BERMAN, USNR CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION OF DAMAGED FACILITIES Senator STENNIS. You may proceed, Commander Berman. Commander BERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I have a statement to submit for the record, with your permission. The statement, however, is substantially the same as was submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee, with one exception, and that is, this includes a request for funding of our continuing authorization. The money that covers our planning, our minor construction and restoration of damaged facilities in the total amount of $673,000. That is the only item that we have. Senator STENNIS. The House gave you the full amount? Senator STENNIS. You have already covered your subject well. I think we will give you the full amount requested. Thank you very much. Commander BERMAN. Thank you. (The prepared statement of Commander Berman follows:) TESTIMONY OF COMDR. P. P. BERMAN, U.S. NAVAL RESERVE, ON THE NAVY'S FISCAL YEAR 1966 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION NAVAL RESERVE PROGRAM The program consists of four categories-Naval Reserve aviation facilities, Naval Reserve surface facilities, Marine Corps ground facilities, and continuing authorization at various locations totaling $9,500,000. NAVAL RESERVE AVIATION FACILITIES The first of the Reserve categories is "Aviation facilities," consisting of 10 line items at 7 Naval Air Reserve stations for a total amount of $4,385,000. These items are for major improvements to operational and personnel support facilities. In all cases of rehabilitation, the life of the buildings will be prolonged at least 15 years. These facilities are used to support the training of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve aviation personnel who man the attack, patrol, fighter, transport, helicopter, and support squadrons. It is these squadrons that have become known as a truly ever-ready force, and as such, work very closely with the regular forces. Naval Air Station, Atlanta, Ga., $78,000 The first project, a single line item for a vehicle maintenance shop modThe station is on Navy-owned land Vehicle maintenance shop modification. at the Naval Air Station, Atlanta, Ga., is ification at the estimated cost of $78,000. contiguous to Dobbins Air Force Base. The runways and control tower are used jointly with the Air Force. The Lockheed Aircraft Corp. also shares the use of the operational facilities at this base. The repair and maintenance of the station's 109 pieces of transportation equipment require more space than is available for this operation. The existing facility was originally constructed in 1959 on an austere basis as a combined public works and vehicle maintenance facility. The general maintenance shops are so crowded that efficient operation is not possible. Heavy equipment must be maintained outdoors. The existing shop has no hoisting equipment, no lubrication rack, no washing facility, and no area for working on incidental internal combustion equipment. Dobbins Air Force Base cannot accommodate the Navy's requirement. The proposed item will overcome existing deficiencies by adding two new stalls, a lubrication rack, heavy equipment hoist, and an outside washing pad. The next project consists of two line items for $335,000 at the Naval Air Station, Glenview, Ill. In addition to providing support to units of the Naval and Marine Corps Air Reserve, the station also provides headquarters facilities for the Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training and the Commander, Marine Air Reserve Training. Conversion to communication center, $156,000. - The first item is for conversion of an existing building to a communication center at the estimated cost of $156,000. The existing communication center is in the building housing the Naval Air Reserve Training Command staff. Because of overcrowded conditions generated by other essential segments of the staff, there is too little space for the center and the necessary security cannot be provided in this small space. Building 18, which houses the transmitting equipment, is a small, dilapidated structure, which is to be demolished. Building 17, a structurally sound, brick, cold-storage warehouse, is in excess of the station's needs. The communication center and telephone exchange, as well as the transmitting equipment will be relocated in this building. The Center will then consist of the message center, on-line and off-line cryptographic equipment, registered publications vault, technical publications library, and transmitting equipment. In addition, the telephone exchange, to be relocated from the headquarters building, will consist of a three-position switchboard, operating room, equipment, frame, and maintenance room, battery and power room, and operators' rest and lounge rooms. Completion of this item will improve the station's communication capability to the required level. Rehabilitation of drill hall and training tank, $179,000. —The second item is for rehabilitation of the drill hall and training tank at the estimated cost of $179,000. The training tank is utilized for the survival training of all personnel drawing flight pay who require this training annually. These personnel include approximately 500 in the Reserve squadrons and 200 in the permanent party. When the tank is not scheduled for training, it may be utilized for recreational purposes. The drill hall is the only indoor athletic facility available to the personnel of the command. We propose to remove the entire dormer over the training tank, which has deteriorated due to high humidity, and 4 of the lean-tos. The shower and locker rooms will be rehabilitated and the deteriorating wood floor in the drill hall will be replaced, mainly with asphalt tile. The removal of the lean-tos will reduce the total area by 12,470 square feet to an area of 57,000 square feet. Naval Air Station, New York, N.Y., $832,000 The next project is at the Naval Air Station, New York, N.Y. It consists of two line items for $832,000. In addition to supporting 23 Naval and Marine Air Reserve squadrons, this station is host to the New York Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard detachment, and units of the New York City Police Department. In addition, the station supports 11 Reserve maintenance, intelligence, and weapons training units. Remote receiver building, $106,000.- The first line item is for construction of a remote receiver building at the estimated cost of $106,000. The present operations radio communication facility is on the second floor of the west lean-to of hangar B. The close proximity of the antenna network to extensive fluorescent lighting, machine shops, and other aircraft maintenance operations creates excessive interference in radio reception. The existing facility has seven installed receiving units. Twelve additional units are required, but due to space limitations, their installation has been deferred. Relocation of this facility to the proposed remote receiver Building will provide the necessary additional space and result in a marked increase in receiving capabilities. It will also allow the space now occupied by the communication facility to be made available for functions more directly concerned with aircraft operations. Aviation technical training building, $726,000.-The second item is for construction of an aviation technical training building at the estimated cost of $726,000. Aviation technical training facilities are located in five buildings scattered throughout the operational area of the station. All of these buildings are grossly inadequate from a standpoint of functional design or structural condition. Their remoteness from each other contributes further to the difficulties of programing and scheduling of classes. The consolidation of both men and equipment in the proposed building will provide for more efficient training. In addition, estimated savings in maintenance and operating funds of $139,000 per year will be affected through the demolition of two of the five buildings now used for this training. Thus, the cost of this building will be amortized in approximately 5 years. Naval Air Station, Olathe, Kans., $706,000 The next project, at the Naval Air Station, Olathe, Kans., consists of two line items for $706,000. In addition to 11 Navy and Marine Reserve squadrons and 3 Naval Air Reserve training units, this station also supports the 738th Radar Squadron, U.S. Air Force, the 5th Missile Battalion, U.S. Army, and the Federal Aviation Agency approach control facility for the Kansas City, Mo., area. Rehabilitation of barracks, $471,000.- The first item is for rehabilitation of barracks at the estimated cost of $471,000. The present barracks building is an open dormitory-type accommodating 436 men. It has been in constant use since its construction in 1942. Due to the deterioration of structural frame members and the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, maintenance costs of this building have become excessive. The proposed rehabilitation will provide adequate quarters for 369 enlisted men and will approach the criteria of new construction for maintenance, usable space, and comfort. Rehabilitation of bachelor officers' quarters, $235,000.- The second item is for rehabilitation of bachelor officers' quarters at the estimated cost of $235,000. We propose to improve the bachelor officers' quarters building to provide for single occupancy within limitations imposed by its configuration. It now accommodates 172 officers, mostly 2 to a room. The planned improvements are in accord with the Navy's desire to provide adequate housing facilities to its personnel. When the rehabilitation is completed the bachelor officers' quarters will accommodate 119 officers adequately. Naval Air Station, South Weymouth, Mass., $2,177,000 Aircraft maintenance hangar. The next project consists of a single line item for an aircraft maintenance hangar at the Naval Air Station, South Weymouth, Mass., at the estimated cost of $2,177,000. The present maintenance hangar was built for lighter-than-air ships in 1942 with an anticipated life of 10 years. World War II emergency conditions and critical material shortage made it imperative to reduce the standard structural requirement for hangar construction during this period. The hangar was shut down in 1947 and reopened in 1953. During this period it had no maintenance. The structure is approaching an advanced state of deterioration. It is unheated, poorly lighted, and some of the doors will not function. The cost of rehabilitating this structure, approximately $2.6 million, is prohibitive and at best would still only provide less-than-satisfactory space due to its structural configuration. From the standpoint of economics, we consider that the demolishing of the old hangar and the construction of a new one is the most satisfactory method of replacing an inadequate aircraft maintenance facility. Naval Air Station, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn., $167,000 Rehabilitation of technical training building.The next project, at the Naval Air Station, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn., also consists of a single line item for a technical training building alteration at the estimated cost of $167,000. NAS, Twin Cities, is adjacent to the World-Chamberlain Minneapolis Airport and uses the commercial runways and tower under a joint-use agreement. In addition to supporting the Naval and Marine Corps Air Reserve units, the station also provides support to nonflying units of the Surface Selected Reserve. The existing technical training building was constructed more than 20 years ago and was of a temporary nature. Due to the various factors characteristic of such construction, heating and ventilation are inadequate, lighting is poor, and fire hazard is great. Consequently, instruction is administered under a severe handicap. We propose to upgrade these facilities to a level comparable to modern standards, thereby greatly improving the efficiency of the station's technical training program. Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pa., $90,000 High-explosives magazine. -The last project in the aviation facilities category is at the Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pa. It is a line item for the construction of a high-explosives magazine at the estimated cost of $90,000. In addition to supporting 21 Naval and Marine Air Reserve squadrons, this station also provides support to units of the Air Force and Air National Guard. The station has an operational requirement to provide storage for high explosives. The existing magazines are earth-covered corrugated metal and are subject to water leakage. Such leakage is a continual source of damage to any explosives stored within. Repairs are infeasible due to the deteriorated condition of the structure. This construction will provide two 1, 274-square-foot magazines in accordance with standard criteria. NAVAL RESERVE SURFACE FACILITIES The second of the Reserve categories is surface facilities. This group consists of seven line items in as many locations for a total of $3,326,000. The surface facilities provide support for the surface component of the Naval Reserve which has the mission of organizing, training, and otherwise supporting the officers and enlisted men assigned to the Navy's Selective Reserve units. Four of these projects involve joint usage with one or more of the other services. Three of these four involve concurrent construction. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Baton Rouge, La., $469,000 Training center. The first surface facilities project is for construction of a Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Baton Rouge, La., at the estimated cost of $469,000. The center occupies leased space in a deteriorated, wood-frame building requiring excessively high maintenance costs. It is located in an industrial area adjacent to a rail yard. The excessive noise of the constant railroad traffic, together with the nonaccessibility of the building entrance when railroad cars block the main street, create almost insurmountable difficulties in the training and administration of the local Reserve program. This project proposes to construct the training center concurrently with the Marine Corps Reserve and the U.S. Coast Guard. Naval Reserve Training Center, Cape Girardeau, Mo., $470,000 Training center. ---The next project is for the construction of a Naval Reserve Training Center at Cape Girardeau, Mo., at the estimated cost of $470,000. The existing facility consists of an old frame aircraft hangar leased from the Municipal Airport Board, Cape Girardeau, at an annual rental of $3,600. The building lacks insulation and its large doors cannot be securely closed due to their warped condition. Consequently, it is incapable of being properly heated. It is situated in an area surrounded by dilapidated, unpainted buildings, giving the appearance of an abandoned community. Under these conditions, training effectiveness cannot be maintained, and unless a new facility is provided, the Reserve program will continue to deteriorate in this city. Naval Reserve training facility, Grants Pass, Oreg., $94,000 Training facility. The next project is for the construction of a Naval Reserve training facility at Grants Pass, Oreg., at the estimated cost of $94,000. The Naval Reserve Surface Division trains in a leased facility consisting of three wooden buildings constructed originally as a contractor's camp. The annual rental is $600. This facility is inadequate in a number of respects. It contains a total of only 1,714 square feet, compared to a requirement for 3,170 square feet of floor space. It has no central heating system but uses a space heater to heat each room. This fire hazard is compounded by the lack of pressured water. The only water is supplied from a well dug by the reservists. Consequently, there are no indoor toilet facilities. The new construction will provide an adequate, modern structure for the training facility. Naval Reserve Training Center, Perth Amboy, N.J., $704,000 Training center. -The last project in this category is for the construction of a Naval Reserve training center at Perth Amboy, N.J., at the estimated cost of $704,000. The existing center occupies space leased from the State of New Jersey, consisting of a naval militia armory and two quonset buildings. There are only 18,912 square feet of space available compared with the standard of 25,656 square feet for the three divisions being trained. During the 15-year tenure of the training center, both the armory and the two quonsets have been flooded by high tides on five separate occasions. This repetitious flooding has caused extensive structural damage and has been a major factor in the advanced state of deterioration of these buildings. This project proposes the construction of a new training center on a 3-acre site to be donated to the Navy by the city of Perth Amboy. Naval Reserve Training Center, Staten Island, N.Y., $306,000 Training center. The next project is for the construction of a Naval Reserve training center at Staten Island, N.Y., at the estimated cost of $306,000. The existing training center provides training facilities for its three assigned divisions in space leased from the New York State Naval Militia at an annual rental of $5,700. There are only 14,621 square feet of space available, compared with the standard requirement of 25,656 square feet for the divisions being trained. There is no room on the 4-acre site for the expansion of the existing building. Extensive rehabiliation and repair would be required even if the amount of space were sufficient. The New York State Naval Militia has agreed to fund one-half of the initial cost of construction of a training center on a site located at Miller Field, a Government-owned facility. Naval and Marine Reserve Training Center, Spokane, Wash., $570,000 Training center. The next project is for the construction of a Naval and Marine Corps Reserve training center at Spokane, Wash., at the estimated cost of $570,000. The existing training center supports its personnel in temporary buildings constructed as an Army hospital in 1942. They are in an advanced state of deterioration and have become a serious maintenance problem. Rehabilitation of these facilities would be uneconomical. All but three of the present buildings will be demolished. The retained buildings will be utilized to supplement the new construction. The area required by the Marine Corps Reserve is being programed this year under Marine Corps ground forces facilities and will be provided concurrently with the Navy requirements. Naval Reserve Training Center, Tampa, Fla., $713,000 Training center. The next project is for the construction of a Naval Reserve training center at Tampa, Fla., at the estimated cost of $713,000. The existing facilities, consisting of seven temporary World War II structures, were built in 1942, and administration and barracks buildings for an industrial shipyard. They have outlasted their normal life expectancy by more than 10 years and are badly deteriorated. The new center will be jointly used by the Coast Guard Reserve and will provide facilities for an even more effective training program. It will be located on a site fronting the Ybor Canal. This site will be leased from the city of Tampa at an annual rental of $1. facilities will be declared excess upon completion of the new center. MARINE CORPS GROUND FACILITIES The old The third category of Reserve facilities in the program is Marine Corps Reserve ground facilities. There are seven projects at as many locations and one three-line items project at three different locations included in this group for a total amount of $1,195,000. Two line items will be constructed jointly with the Navy and eight will include use with at least one other service. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Baton Rouge, La., $189,000 Training center. The first project is for a training center to be constructed at Baton Rouge, La., at the estimated cost of $189,000. This represents the Marine Corps portion of a joint facility with the Naval Reserve. The present facility is of wood frame construction with asbestos siding supported on concrete piers which extend approximately 11⁄2 inches above the ground. It was constructed in 1942 as a temporary structure. It lacks sufficient classrooms, storage space, and adequate toilet facilities. The proposed facility will eliminate the present adverse conditions and will enable this unit to attain a much higher degree of training and readiness. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Fort Schuyler, N.Y., $114,000 Addition to training center. The next project is for an addition to the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center at Fort Schuyler, N.Y., at the esti mated cost of $114,000. This facility is less than 4 years old. However, since construction was completed, the Marine Corps Reserve unit assigned to the center has tripled in size from 257 men to more than 800, with additional growth expected. The project |