Peters says superbases will stretch dollars, relieve ops tempo

Peters says superbases will stretch dollars, relieve ops tempo

Released: Apr 23, 1998

by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Hoffman
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- The "superbase" concept will reduce the stress of a high operations tempo, aid in getting retention rates back up and help stretch operating and maintenance money, said the Acting Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters, during his visit to Air Force Space Command Headquarters April 17.

"Our deployment rate is four times what it was during the Cold War and we only have two-thirds the people," said Peters. "Our people, whether deployed or at their home station, are working 50- and 60-hour weeks. This is having a dramatic negative impact on their lifestyle and on our retention rates."

Part of the solution to this problem is the superbase concept. The Air Force will concentrate more people and equipment at select bases, especially those that are home to an Air Expeditionary Force. These bases will have the resources necessary to deal with a higher operations tempo and flat operations and maintenance budgets, the secretary said.

"I fully support more rounds of BRAC (base realignment and closure) as proposed by Defense Secretary (William S.) Cohen." However, Peters pointed out the superbase concept will get under way with or without BRAC.

"Retention is a serious issue and an area, quite frankly, we are not doing very well in. 'Plussing up' to meet the superbase concept is one of the few tools we can use to address this problem in an era of flat budgets."

Peters doesn't see much relief coming from Congress to address the pay gap between Air Force people and their civilian counterparts, but did say the Air Force would "do everything it can within its own budget" to address the problem.

Enlisted members and junior officers also related command-specific problems to the secretary during a breakfast in the base dining facility. Retention, especially within the security forces career field, was addressed several times.

Cross training is not an option for first-term airmen in SFs. The SF manning problem continues to be worked hard by the command -- just a few months ago a decision was reached by the Air Force to man space wings with an ICBM alert mission at 100 percent. The manning was brought up by bringing in more security forces through basic training, re-enlistment bonuses and a new return to active duty program is bringing up the manning.

The secretary said this was a difficult issue, but that he "would help find a way to solve those problems."

In spite of all the challenges the command and Air Force seem to be facing, the talent and quality of its people impressed Peters.

"Talking to a few of you around the tables here I'm impressed with the enormously talented people we have in the Air Force. Many of you have associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees. Any employer would love to have the people we have in the Air Force today."

Peters also said top programs for AFSPC were being funding and had the backing of our nation's leaders.

"We are working very hard on National Missile Defense systems and Congress and Secretary Cohen have ensured us the money we need. We are working on the program as fast as technology permits us."

The Space-Based Infrared System, better known as SBIRS, is on track and its missile dectection capabilities will be key to and missile defense system. (Courtesy of AFSPC News Service)

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Peters says superbases will stretch dollars, relieve ops tempo