（法新社華盛頓一日電） 美國海軍部長英格蘭今天說，配備「神盾」飛彈追蹤系統的美軍驅逐艦已經部署在接近北韓的日本海水域，作為飛彈防禦系統的一環，華盛頓打算在今年內宣布這套系統開始運作。

英格蘭告訴記者說：「我們的神盾級驅逐艦確實已經部署，它們當然有追蹤能力，我們曾經承諾在年底之前完成部署。」

英格蘭証實了驅逐艦已經部署在日本海北韓附近水域的報導。

但是他拒絕表示這項說法是否意味美國在阿拉斯加州及加州的基地建造的飛彈防禦系統現在已經可以運作。

五角大廈官員曾經表示，美國準備在今年宣布這套系統「具備初步運作能力」，對「惡棍」國家的長程飛彈攻擊可以提供有限度的防衛。

華盛頓記者林寶慶／二日電
2004/10/03

美國最新一期「國防新聞」周刊報導，針對中共及北韓的威脅，為加強反潛作戰，美國太平洋艦隊擬於明年向瑞典租借最先進的近岸作戰傳統動力哥特藍級潛艦，供反潛作戰演練之用。

美國海軍沒有傳統動力潛艦，過去的反潛作戰演練都是將核子動力潛艦權充傳統動力潛艦使用。而美國反潛作戰能力自蘇聯解體後大幅下滑，太平洋美軍司令法戈已提出警訊。

法戈今年六月在華府美國「海軍潛艦聯盟」年會中曾強調，中共在太平洋部署六十五艘以上潛艦，北韓八十四艘，俄羅斯卅一艘，而美國目前在太平洋只有廿三艘，不論平時或戰時都嫌不足。關島現已部署兩艘潛艦，即將部署第三艘。他說，美軍還將在太平洋其他地區增加部署潛艦。法戈說美國潛艦數量正在減少，他已向國防部長倫斯斐建議，應該增加潛艦數量。他說美國應以每年兩艘的速度生產維吉尼亞級潛艦，並應恢復生產洛杉磯級潛艦。

法戈指出，世界正在轉變，而重心是在亞太地區。他說，亞太地區也應是美國海軍的未來所在。

最新一期美國「國防新聞」周刊披露，美軍太平洋艦隊針對解放軍新式潛艇不斷增加、美軍反潛能力大幅下滑的局面，計畫明年向瑞典海軍租借配備不依賴空氣動力裝置（ＡＩＰ）的「哥特蘭」級常規動力潛艇，參加明年的反潛作戰演練，供美國練兵。

報導說，由於美國沒有傳統動力潛艇，過去在反潛作戰演練中，都是以核子動力潛艇權充傳統動力潛艇，但美國海軍的反潛能力自蘇聯解體後已經大幅下滑。

美軍太平洋艦隊司令法戈亦曾經警告，解放軍、北韓及俄羅斯在太平洋已經部署最少一百八十艘各式潛艇，美軍只有二十三艘在區內駐守，情況嚴峻。

據悉，美軍即將向瑞典海軍租借的「哥特蘭」級潛艇屬於攻擊潛艇，可攜帶十八枚魚雷、二十二枚水雷。一九九六年開始服役，排水量一千四百九十噸，最深能潛入二百米海底，ＡＩＰ系統除可減少潛艇的噪音，減少被偵察及擊毀的機會，亦能令續航能力增至數星期。

報導認為，美軍這次租借「哥特蘭」級潛艇，明顯針對解放軍而來。解放軍北海艦隊的三六一號明級柴電潛艇，去年五月在遼寧省大連市以東海域失事，導致七十名官兵死亡。官方公布的肇事原因是「機械故障」，但廣泛流傳的消息是指三六一號潛艇當時正測試ＡＩＰ系統，因操作失誤導致全船官兵窒息致死。

Fire breaks out on Canadian submarine

HALIFAX - A rescue effort is underway off the west coast of Ireland after a Canadian military submarine with 57 people on board issued a distress call Tuesday.

Military officials in Halifax said a fire broke out on HMCS Chicoutimi about 425 kilometres west of Ireland, but has since been extinguished.

A couple of the submariners inhaled fumes, but there were no serious injuries, said Halifax-based military spokesman Mike Bonin.

Everybody on board is safe, Bonin said in an interview with the Canadian Press. There was a small fire on board. It was quickly put out. The sub has surfaced and is awaiting a tug to take it back to somewhere along the European coast.

The sub surfaced and sent out a distress call at about 10:15 EDT. Emergency officials at Clyde responded.

Later the submarine sent out another message saying the fire was out, but the vessel needed a tug to the nearest port.

HMCS Chicoutimi, the latest addition to Canadas submarine fleet, was one of four Victoria-class submarines purchased from the British navy.

It left the Faslane base in Scotland on Saturday, and was expected to arrive in Halifax on Oct. 18.

The British submarines have been plagued with technical problems and there have been lengthy delays in getting them into active service after modernization at the Halifax naval shipyard.

It is unclear how the fire on board broke out, but the Chicoutimi was forced to surface to vent the smoke.

No one on board was injured and the Department of National Defence said it was attempting to contact the crew members families to reassure them.

A spokesman described the Chicoutimi as dead in the water, or unable to move under its own power. However, some electrical power is believed to have remained on board, enabling the crew to maintain radio contact with the rescue effort.

Neil Smith, a spokesman for the Faslane submarine base on the Clyde, told the BBC the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Knight had been turned round and was on its way to the scene. A Type 23 frigate, HMS Montrose, is being sent from Faslane, accompanied by tug boat support.

At this moment in time we dont have the exact details, said Mr Smith.

We are in communication with the people on board.

We are doing everything we can to assist them, and at this moment in time my colleagues are working hard to make sure that happens as quickly as possible.

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CANADIAN SUBS

Four Victoria-class submarines are in the Canadian fleet, each named after port cities (with their former names in the Royal Navy):

HMCS Victoria (HMS Unseen)
HMCS Windsor (HMS Unicorn)
HMCS Corner Brook (HMS Ursula)
HMCS Chicoutimi (HMS Upholder)

The Canadian Forces bought the subs in 1998 for $750 million. Victoria operates in the Pacific Ocean out of Esquimalt, B.C. The rest are based in Halifax. Built by the U.K., but soon mothballed in favour of an all-nuclear fleet. Nearly identical to nuclear subs in design, except for their diesel-electric engines.

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http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1096991616876_92400816/?hub=TopStories

Canadian sub calls for help after fire on baord
CTV.ca News Staff

A Canadian submarine off the coast of Ireland has called for assistance from the British Royal Navy, after a small fire broke out on board.

HMCS Chicoutimi, a diesel-electric patrolling sub, reported a fire on board at around 11:15 AT. The fire was extinguished within minutes but filled the vessel with smoke.

There are reports of three people suffering from smoke inhalation, Neil Smith of the Royal Air Forces Rescue Centre, told CTV Newsnet, noting that the rest of the crew is safe.

He added that its not known what caused the fire or what damage, if any, the ship has sustained.

Smith said the Royal Navy has a helicopter and a tanker on route to lend assistance. They are also in the process of scrambling a frigate to the site. The sub has surfaced and is awaiting a tug to take it back to shore.

The Canadian navy only recently took possession of the Chicoutimi along with three other Victoria-class submarines from the British navy.

A renaming ceremony was held just this past Saturday in Scotland, as the submarine changed its name from HMS Upholder to HMCS Chicoutimi.

The Chicoutimi was on its way to Halifax and was due to arrive in Halifax harbour Oct. 18. It would then begin patrolling the East Coast.

Another of the submarines bought at the same time, HMCS Victoria, is currently testing its torpedo system on the West Coast. A third vessel, HMCS Corner Brook, is undergoing work in Halifax. The fourth craft is HMCS Windsor.

The incident is just the latest in a string of embarrassing setbacks for the Canadian military surrounding the used subs, which Ottawa bought from Britain at a cost of $750 million.

The submarines were built in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but the British navy mothballed them in 1994, when they decided to go with an all-nuclear submarine force.

Canada agreed to buy the vessels in 1998 to replace three Oberon class boats. But shortly after Canada took possession, cracks were found in key valves on the subs.

Repairs and tests to certify the boats are safe to dive took longer than expected, putting the Canadianization process about three years behind schedule.

新聞快報

英國出售加拿大潛艦起火

http://news.yam.com/afp/international/news/200410/20041006160502.html
加國潛艇火災造成九人受傷 續在海上漂流

（法新社倫敦五日電） 英國官員今天說，加拿大海軍生力軍｜加拿大皇家海軍潛艇「希庫蒂米號」發生火災後，在愛爾蘭西北方氣候惡劣的海域漂流，火災造成艇上九名水手受傷。

英國國防部發言人在倫敦告訴法新社說：「就我們所知，這艘潛艇失去所有動力。」這艘嚴重受損的潛艇在離岸約一百八十公里的大海中顛簸搖擺了一夜。

英國空軍一架獵迷式海上巡邏機在空中盤旋，並與潛艇上五十七名官兵保持聯繫；潛艇顯然是因為在潛入海中時，電線走火發生火災而受困。

這位發言人說，英國皇家海軍兩艘巡防艦與一艘支援艦預計明早可抵達「希庫蒂米號」漂流地。「希庫蒂米號」是一艘經過整修的英國潛水艇，原為英國皇家海軍潛艇「支援號」，五年前才加入加拿大海軍。

同時，三架海空救援直昇機正在北愛爾蘭巴利凱利待命，如果有需要，兩艘拖曳船正準備出海將潛水艇拖回港口。

編譯洪伯昌／法新社倫敦五日電

加拿大海軍斥資近六億美元（約台幣兩百億元）向英國購買四艘剛淘汰的二手潛艦，前三艘陸續傳出漏水、排氣閥故障和船體凹陷等問題，日前才交貨的最後一艘潛艦更慘，啟程返國一天後就在愛爾蘭北方外海發生火燒船，動力全失，被迫浮出海面等待救援，還造成九名士兵受傷，名副其實「賠了夫人又折兵」。

加拿大身為北約會員國之一，軍備嚴重不足，碰巧英國皇家海軍決定建立全部採用核子動力的潛艇艦隊，因此向英國採購四艘一九八○年代建造的維多利亞級傳統動力潛艦。

（法新社渥太華六日電） 加拿大總理馬丁宣布，愛爾蘭外海發生火災的加拿大皇家海軍潛艇「希庫蒂米號」上的一名軍官，在受傷一天後不幸死亡。

總理馬丁急忙趕回下議院宣布這項悲劇。他證實死者是桑德茲中尉。

下議院全體議員起立，為這個不幸的消息默哀。

桑德茲是「希庫蒂米號」潛艇上五十七名船員之一，他在今天稍早的潛艇火災事故中受傷，另外兩受傷的船員傷勢穩定。

「希庫蒂米號」在五日十四時十五分（台北時間五日二十二時十五分）於愛爾蘭西北部外海，因火災失去動力，目前在愛爾蘭的大西洋海域漂流。火災發生時共有九名船員受傷，其中三人，包括傷重的桑德茲中尉，由直升機緊急送往愛爾蘭西北部的一所醫院救治。

「希庫蒂米號」離開英國潛艇基地法斯蘭港，準備返回加拿大的哈利法克斯港僅僅一天就發生火災。

據了解，美國軍艦最近調度到日本附近海面的數量明顯增多，還從夏威夷調來CG-70彈道飛彈防禦試驗船進駐到橫須賀港內，主要是因應之前北韓方面傳出可能試射彈道飛彈的跡象，加強防備。

另一方面，美軍最近在東海、南海等地聲納探測船活動也比以前頻繁，專家認為這與美軍加強監視中共潛艦活動有關。

九月下旬時日本媒體報導，北韓有準備發射「蘆洞」彈道飛彈的跡象，當時日本已派出神盾級的驅逐艦和電子情報收集機EP3，廿四小時在日本海附近加強偵察。

消息指出，為此美軍也特別從夏威夷調來CG-70的海上彈道飛彈測試艦(Ballistic Missile Defense Test Ship)。這個測試艦主要是測試彈道飛彈防衛系統的效能，為萬一有事時做準備。據了解，CG-70先到達橫須賀港附近，目前已出到日本海附近。

除了彈道飛彈防衛測試艦外，美方也調派多艘神盾驅逐艦在日本附近海面巡防，據指出，目前至少有六到八艘的相關軍艦在附近活動。主要都是加強這個海域的有事因應能力。

另一方面，鑑於中共的潛艦在東海南海等相關海域活動越趨頻繁，據了解，美方也越趨增加其聲納偵測船的活動，重新檢視驗證其原有資料，也加強偵測中共潛艦的活動。

南韓和美國今天宣布就裁減駐南韓美軍期限達成協議，美國已同意在五年內分階段逐步裁減駐韓美軍一萬兩千五百兵力，而非突然在明年底之前裁減三分之一。

根據修訂後的方案，駐韓美軍裁減一萬兩千五百兵力的部分不變，但最後期限延至二○○八年底，較原先的規畫晚三年。南韓政府談判代表、國防部政策室長安光瓚在漢城舉行的記者會上公布了美韓雙方達成的這一協議。

安光瓚說，美韓雙方就裁減駐韓美軍的問題進行了多次談判後，同意在二○○八年底前分三階段實施計劃。第一階段，美軍將在今年底前撤走五千名官兵，其中包括已在八月份從駐韓美軍第二步兵師中抽調到伊拉克的三千六百名兵力。

第二階段，駐韓美軍將在二○○五年和二○○六年分別撤走三千人和兩千人，第三階段，在二○○七年至二○○八年撤走兩千五百人。從二○○九年起，駐韓美軍將保持約兩萬四千五百兵力。

華盛頓特派員張宗智／六日電
2004/10/08

太平洋美軍司令人事案六日出現戲劇性變化。原本可望成為美國空軍首位入主太平洋司令部的四星上將馬丁，在國會參議院軍事委員會六日舉行提名聽證會後，突然宣布無意接受這項職務，並要求國防部撤回他的提名。

美國國防部稍晚也簡短宣布，將應馬丁的要求，撤回太平洋美軍司令的提名，現任司令海軍上將法戈將繼續領導太平洋司令部。

馬丁在聽證過程中，曾就台海問題回答參議員殷何菲的詢問說，他非常關切中國大陸（軍事）快速現代化，美國也絕不能忽視中共的能力，尤其是針對台灣的部分。馬丁並說，美國關心距中國大陸只有幾哩外的台灣，如果台灣在沒有挑釁（中共）的情況下遭到（中共）攻擊，美國已準備好提供協助。

馬丁目前擔任美國空軍位於俄亥俄州戴頓市的物料指揮部指揮官。

參院軍事委員會六日舉行任命聽證，原本進行順利，共和黨參議員馬侃突然指出，馬丁曾和空軍一位已認罪圖利廠商女官員共事。前空軍文職採購官員杜筑雲（Darlene Druyun）承認，在經手的軍機油料箱採購案合約上獨惠波音，以換取安插自己和家人到民間就業。

（中央社台北十一日電）中國和澳洲海軍十四日將於中國青島外海，舉行首次海上聯合搜救演習，這也是中國與澳洲軍方首次進行非傳統安全領域的合作。

新華網報導，中國海軍北海艦隊哈爾濱號導彈驅逐艦和澳大利亞海軍安扎克號導彈護衛艦，將參加十四日舉行的中澳海軍首度海上聯合搜救演習。

上周在海上起火故障的加拿大海軍潛艦「奇科提米號」十日晚被拖回英國格拉斯哥附近的費斯連港，船上五十四名船員有一死二傷，有關單位將徹查失事原因。

奇科提米號是柴電潛艦，原屬英國海軍，一九九八年賣給加拿大，但最近才交船，奇科提米號二日從費斯連港出海，五日在愛爾蘭外海一百八十公里處的大西洋上起火，導致艦上的配電系統和交換機故障，奇科提米因此失去動力，在海上漂流。

一名軍官在起火時因吸入濃煙而死亡，另外有一名軍官和一名士官受傷。事後在附近的英國、愛爾蘭、加拿大和美國船艦均前往救援，並將奇科提米號拖回費斯連港。

加拿大海軍中將麥克寧說，儘管奇科提米號在交給加拿大之後的首航就出事，但它離港時已經完全作好出海的準備，加拿大方面在簽署文件時，已確認這艘潛艦處於適航狀態。但他也強調，這起事故的肇因絕對有必要調查。

英國在一九九八年共賣給加拿大四艘柴電潛艦，除奇科提米號外，另外三艘是先前已交貨的「溫莎號」、「布魯克角號」和「維多利亞號」，這四艘潛艦是在上世紀八○年代末及九○年代初建造，成本高達十六億美元，但出廠之後不久英國決定以核子動力潛艦取代柴電潛艦，因此將這批柴電潛艦封存。

這四艘潛艦的成交價格為四億四千萬美元，看似划算，其實問題重重，例如溫莎號在交船之後進行潛水任務時，就出現通氣管漏水不止的毛病，而維多利亞號也有排氣閥門無法嚴實關閉的問題，檢查後發現排氣閥門有裂損和鏽蝕，另外奇科提米號也有壓力艙鏽蝕的問題。

鑑於以上這些問題，加拿大先前就考慮要控告英國，不料還未付諸行動，奇科提米號就在海上起火故障。

海軍當局於接獲肇事艦艇的求救信息後，曾派出搜救人員趕往海難現場，在沉沒艦艇上服勤的五名海軍中，只救起一人，其他四人失蹤。

（中央社記者姜遠珍漢城十四日專電）南韓國防部今天證實，確曾於十日接獲疑似潛艇的不詳物體滲透特定海域的情報，也派出了艦艇、海上哨戒機等反潛戰力，展開了搜索活動，但並未發現異常狀況。國防部強烈否認南韓媒體有關「海軍以投下深水炸彈等反潛作戰，驅散侵犯海疆的北韓潛艇」之報導。

南韓國防部發人言南大連今天發佈以「有關潛艇之報導的國防部立場」為題的新聞資料，對於在漢城發行的三大報之一的南韓「中央日報」的有關報導，指責為「與事實不符的報導」。

中央日報今天在頭版頭條報導指出：北韓潛艇於十日曾在東海海域巡戈，南韓海軍緊急派出驅逐艦、海上哨戒機及反潛直昇機，並透過發射深水炸彈，驅逐侵犯南韓海疆的北韓潛艇。

報導並強調，南韓海軍獲知北韓潛艇出動的情報後，派出反潛戰力前往現場進行證實的情況時有發生，但動用深水炸彈反潛尚屬第一次。

駐韓美軍情報單位最先向南韓軍方提供了北韓潛艇出現東海的情報。南韓國防部有關負責人指出，美國情報單位將追蹤到的北韓潛艇移動的航跡及位置座標，隨時提供給南韓。美方有可能自北韓潛艇離開基地時，即開始進行了追蹤行動。最近，由於美國海軍神盾驅逐艦部署在東海（日本海）海域，進一步加強了對北韓潛艇等北韓軍事情報的蒐集能力。

北韓在東、西海岸共有七個潛艇基地。其中，東海岸上有江原道松田港及元山港、咸鏡南道退潮港及遮湖港等四處，並部署了一百一十艘艘潛水艇。據推測，這次南下的「鯊魚級」潛艇可能來自遮湖港。

Pacific Rim Bureau (CNSNews.com) - Three years after a Rand defense policy study recommended it, reports in Asian media suggest that the U.S. wants to move some U.S. Marine Corps assets from the Japanese island of Okinawa to a tiny island less than 250 nautical miles from Taiwan.

The Japanese island of Shimoji-shima boasts a 10,000-foot runway, built decades ago for civilian airline flight training. It is long enough for combat-armed F-15C fighter planes to use safely.

The islands location would bring U.S. aircraft considerably closer in the event of a future conflict between China and Taiwan.

While there has been no confirmation of any plans, Japans NHK broadcaster said on its website Thursday that the U.S. had proposed to temporarily move the Marine Air Station based at Futenma on Okinawa to Shimoji.

The presence of the base - and other U.S. military bases - on Okinawa long has been controversial, and Tokyo has been pressing for the number of troops there to be reduced substantially as part of the U.S. global reevaluation of force posture.

U.S. and Japanese officials have been discussing changes to the deployment of the 47,000 U.S. military personnel in Japan, half of whom are based on Okinawa.

At an Asia-Europe leaders meeting in Hanoi last week, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said some U.S. troops on Okinawa could be relocated to bases outside of Japan, and some could be moved elsewhere within Japan.

Koizumi and President Bush discussed the planned realignment of troops during a meeting in New York last month.

Tensions on Okinawa rose again last August when a Futenma-based U.S. Marine Sea Stallion helicopter crashed onto a nearby university campus. No-one was hurt, but the accident sparked new protests.

The U.S. agreed in 1996 to move the Futenma base within five to seven years, but alternatives have been hard to come by. One proposal has been to build an artificial offshore base about 40 miles away from the current location, but that has also drawn local protests.

NHK said the government was reserving judgment on the Shimoji proposal, with some officials worried that it would spark local opposition on the small island while others considered it a feasible idea.

A Taiwanese online news site, ET Today, reported Wednesday that Japan and the U.S. had recently discussed the possibility of turning the island into a cooperative security outpost.

The report said Tokyo had already decided to station Japanese F-15C fighter jet units on the island, which is just four square miles in area.

The U.S. has shown interest in the strategic position of the island and the move is clearly directed at China, ET Today said.

Japans Kyodo news agency last month cited unnamed sources as saying the U.S. had asked Japan to open the civilian runway at Shimoji for joint drills involving U.S. and Japanese planes.

Quid pro quo

Although moving the Marines base to Shimoji would reduce tensions on Okinawa, some Japanese are likely to be equally unhappy about the move.

Earlier this year, when Marine helicopters used Shimoji as a refueling stop on their way to and from military exercises in the Philippines, local government officials complained and small groups of protestors demonstrated near the runway.

The local governments military affairs office director, Choki Kuba, was quoted as citing a government promise in 1971 that Shimoji airport would not be used for military purposes.

The Marine Corps said at the time that refueling was an operational necessity, given the helicopters range.

In 2001, the Rand Corporation published a report for the Pentagon on U.S. force posture strategy in Asia, which said that basing U.S. fighters on Shimoji would be of great help were the U.S. military called on to support Taiwan in a conflict with mainland China.

It acknowledged that this may be politically problematic in Japan, noting that the local government wanted to promote Shimoji and the other islands in the southern Ryukyu group as ecologically-friendly vacation destinations.

The Rand study said one way of overcoming likely resistance would be to offer a quid pro quo.

The removal or reduction of U.S. forces elsewhere in the islands, such as the withdrawal of the Marines from Okinawa, could be the currency with which Washington might pay for a foothold in the critical area surrounding the troubled waters of the Taiwan Strait.

The report pointed out the close proximity of Shimoji to Taiwan. By comparison, U.S. airbases on Okinawa are some 500 nautical miles (nm) away, those in South Korea are 800 nm miles away, and Guam is 1,500 nm away.

It would be explosive and potentially unrealistic for the U.S. to base forces on Taiwan itself, it said, because the positioning of foreign forces on Taiwan is one of Beijings often-stated conditions for initiating the use of force against the island.

When the report was published, the mayor of the neighboring island, Irabu, was quoted as saying that using a civilian airport so close to Taiwan for military purposes was tantamount to painting a large bulls-eye on the island.

Pacific carrier base still on table

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Navy Secretary Gordon England yesterday said there is a strong desire to base an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, and Hawaii and Guam continue to be the only locations looked at, but no decision has been made.

Gordon England

England told reporters following a breakfast with Navy League representatives that if a carrier is based in the Pacific, a decision would have to be made on where to station the carrier and the air wing as well.

The Navy secretary planned to visit Hawaii Marines before heading to Guam to participate in the commissioning of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sequoia.

The Navy is doing a $1.8 million study on the feasibility of basing a carrier in Hawaii. No such study was done for Guam.

U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii, told The Advertiser in August the Navy was considering distributing a carrier air wing of 70 to 80 aircraft among three military bases on Oahu and one on Kauai.

Infrastructure for the aircraft and jet noise are concerns, and spreading out the aircraft would reduce the impact. The bases include the former Barbers Point, the Marine Corps base at Kaneohe Bay, Wheeler Army Airfield and Barking Sands.

If the decision is made to base one of the nations 12 carriers in Hawaii, it wouldnt arrive for at least five years, Inouye said.

Politicians from Hawaii and Guam have been actively seeking a carrier.

In San Diego, home port of three carriers, the Regional Chamber of Commerce last year figured each carrier has an annual $270 million economic benefit, including $111 million in payroll spent locally and $40 million in maintenance contracts.

The carrier Kitty Hawk, based out of Yokosuka, Japan, is the only permanently forward-deployed carrier in the Pacific. The growing prominence of the region, and concerns over North Korea and China-Taiwan relations, has military planners seeking a second carrier presence.

Guam is 3,300 miles west of Hawaii and several days sailing time closer to Asia, but falls short on infrastructure and quality of life issues.

Guams congressional delegate, Madeleine Bordallo, who was traveling back to the territory, yesterday said Guam continues to lobby for a carrier.

Our location is very important. Thats how we feel, she said.

Navy officials said a decision could be announced after May, when the Pentagon is scheduled to proceed with a new round of Base Realignment and Closures and recommend which bases to be shuttered.

England said there is a stable environment at Pearl Harbor and he sees no downsizing. The shipyard is the states biggest industrial employer, with 4,400 workers.

We have a great workforce who do a lot of maintenance, a lot of our overhaul, England said. I certainly cant see any dramatic contraction. On the other hand, the Navys not going to have a larger number of ships in terms of total numbers. Maybe some, but certainly not a dramatic increase.

The Navy is downsizing by 8,000 sailors this fiscal year. Commanders have called for up to 375 ships to meet present needs, while the Navy has 291 warships.

England said he hasnt had any discussion with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld since Air Force Gen. Gregory Martin last week withdrew as the nominee to lead Pacific Command based at Camp Smith.

Inouye previously had said the Pacific Command, led by admirals since 1947, is a water command and should continue to be led by an admiral. England said with so many joint service efforts, a lot of different people could have this command.

On the other hand, its been a Navy command for a long time, England said. Were comfortable.

Adm. Walter Doran, the four-star commander of Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, has been mentioned as a possible candidate. Pacific Fleet yesterday had no comment.

（中央社記者盧健輝香港十五日電）紐西蘭兩艘皇家海軍軍艦今天抵達香港海域停泊，展開五天訪問行程。

艦司令凱斯．羅布向上船記者表示，這兩艘訪港艦隻共有二百二十七名軍官和船員，他們是於本年六月起由紐西蘭出發，經過澳洲、上海、越南及曼谷等多個國家及地區並進行演習、國防外交等活動，與各國互相維繫軍事外交關係。

By Nick Brown

Details have emerged that the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) is in the process of standing up a specialist anti-terrorism escort and reaction squadron of unprecedented size and scope, to protect South Korean shipping from terrorist attacks.

The move comes as a response to several international media reports in July 2004, which stated that groups linked to Al-Qaeda had threatened to attack ships transporting stores to US or South Korean forces in Iraq. According to a meeting of Seouls National Assembly Defence Committee, the squadron will initially comprise two destroyers, their Super Lynx helicopters, special forces boarding teams, rigid inflatable boats and a fleet support vessel.

Operating concepts for this force are unclear at present but the intention appears to be that the squadron will be deployed to escort South Korean-flagged shipping through strategic chokepoints outside the countrys waters. Seoul cites the Malacca Strait and the Strait of Hormuz as particular concerns. In addition, the squadron will escort ships transporting oil across the Indian Ocean from the Middle East, and from the Philippines and Malaysia

175 of 360 words

美最新型“弗吉尼亞”核動力攻擊潛艇正式服役

www.XINHUANET.com　　2004年10月15日 11:07:54　　來源：中新網

中新網10月15日電 據法國航宇防務消息，由美國通用動力電氣造船公司生產的最新型、最高級“弗吉尼亞”號核動力攻擊潛艇日前正式交付美國海軍，開始其軍事服役生涯。“弗吉尼亞”號核動力攻擊潛艇是美國海軍設計用於後冷戰時期任務的第一艘戰鬥級潛艇，“弗吉尼亞”號核動力潛艇將以格羅頓新倫敦海軍潛艇基地為母港。

作為世界上最先進的核動力攻擊潛艇，“弗吉尼亞”號潛艇將成為聯合海軍部隊作戰行動的關鍵組成部分。“弗吉尼亞”號核潛艇也是唯一具備發動多重空間戰能力的潛艇，作為一種多任務作戰平臺，該潛艇可實施對岸、對海和海下火力攻擊，潛艇裝備高級傳感設備和其他特殊設備，可提高潛艇的隱形、機動、攻擊及耐力。此能力可為美海軍在近海海域或是公海海域提供作戰優勢。“弗吉尼亞”號潛艇可以在水下高速航行，具備隱形能力，可獨立完成後勤支持。

在任務執行方面，“弗吉尼亞”號潛艇可執行各種情報、偵察和搜索任務，保證美軍指揮官了解敵軍的活動範圍和能力。此一級別的潛艇同時還有能力攻擊敵軍潛艇、水面艦艇和重要岸上目標，同時還具備精確打擊能力和投送特種部隊能力。此外，“弗吉尼亞”號潛艇具備隱形和耐力能力，可參與聯合部隊在最為危險的區域實施作戰行動。

此外，與其他潛艇相比，“弗吉尼亞”極潛艇聲學和非聲學綜合技術使其隱形能力更強。作為美軍在冷戰後研發製造的第一艘潛艇，該潛艇設計目的旨在加強美軍的戰場空間控制能力，以及在特定區域、沿海海域甚至公海執行作戰任務。不僅如此，“弗吉尼亞”號核動力潛艇還具備高尖端偵察能力和特種作戰能力，其裝備的系統還包括高級“海豹”投放系統、高級現代化潛艇通訊和電子對抗系統、反潛戰對抗系統、水雷對抗系統、對岸攻擊垂直髮射系統和4套魚雷發射管，另可配備16枚戰斧導彈。

“弗吉尼亞”號核動力潛艇長377英尺，排水量大約為7800噸，航行速度可超過25節，艦載船員134名。此外，美海軍另外三艘“弗吉尼亞”級潛艇尚在建造之中，這三艘潛艇分別為“德克薩斯”號、“夏威夷”號和“北卡羅來納”號潛艇。“弗吉尼亞”號潛艇是美海軍最重要的戰備艦艇，通用動力電氣造船公司和諾格公司是首批10艘“弗吉尼亞”級潛艇的主要承包商，美海軍計劃共建造30艘“弗吉尼亞”級潛艇。(章田/雅龍)

Raytheon Delivers Deployment STANDARD Missile-3 Rounds to Missile Defense Agency
Friday October 22, 1:00 pm ET

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Raytheon Company has begun delivering STANDARD Missile-3 (SM-3) initial deployment rounds to the Missile Defense Agency. The event was marked by a ceremony at the companys Missile Systems operations here today.
SM-3 is a key element of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System and builds on the existing fleet of Aegis cruisers and destroyers.

This is a critical milestone for Raytheon and for our country. These deployment rounds move the U.S. Navy one step closer to providing the nation and our allies with a sea-based defense against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats, said Louise Francesconi, Raytheon Missile Systems president.

The delivery of SM-3 is the result of the commitment and dedication of employees from Raytheon and the entire supplier team. And it supports the administrations commitment to provide a sea-based missile defense capability, said Edward Miyashiro, Raytheons vice president for Naval Weapons Systems.

Aegis BMD went to sea on Sept. 30, able to track an ICBM and to communicate that information to the Ballistic Missile Defense System. Today we mark the fact that we will soon add firepower to Aegis BMD with the SM-3 missile. It will then be able to participate in the defense of not only the U.S., but of our allies, friends and deployed troops against short-medium range ballistic missiles around the globe, said Rear Adm. Kathleen Paige, program director Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense.

Because naval forces are inherently mobile and capable of multiple missions, Aegis BMD will provide a broad array of options to operational commanders responding to a wide variety of dynamic world situations. I am very proud to the accomplishments of the Aegis BMD government and industry team, and confident that they will continue to deliver in the future, she said.

Since January 2002, the Aegis BMD system has successfully intercepted targets in space four times with SM-3. In all the flight tests, the SM-3 was launched from a U.S. Navy cruiser under increasingly realistic, operational conditions.

There is already international interest in Aegis BMD and SM-3. Japan made the decision earlier this year to procure Aegis BMD and SM-3 missiles for its four Kongo class Aegis destroyers. Japans recent decision to procure SM-3 further validates the performance and utility of this truly global missile defense capability, Miyashiro said.

Raytheon is also responsible for the manufacture and deployment of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program and is the interceptor lead for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor program. Raytheon is also providing the Sea-Based X-band radar and Upgraded Early Warning Radar for the GMD segment, the Space Tracking and Surveillance System payload, the Ballistic Missile Defense System radar, and THAAD (Theater High Altitude Area Defense) radar and battle management software.

Raytheon is leading the SM-3 integrated team effort, supported by Aerojet, the Boeing Company and Alliant Techsystems, which are providing major subsystems.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN - News), with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 78,000 people worldwide.

Contact:
Sara Hammond
520.794.7810

SLAM-ER Launch Demonstrates Flexible Targeting Capability

ST. LOUIS, October 21, 2004 – A successful launch and control of a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Standoff Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) occurred recently at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, Calif.

The missile was launched from an altitude of 10,000 feet, 45 nautical miles from its target. While in flight, simulated intelligence data revealed the primary target was destroyed so the SLAM-ER was retargeted using SLAM-ERs Land Midcourse Update. Pilots took control of the missile, guiding it to impact within 8 feet of the target.

Mark McGraw, Boeing director of naval weapons programs, said the SLAM-ERs capabilities continue to impress. “The warfighter community is always extremely positive about SLAM-ER– its the only weapon that can engage fixed or moving targets on the land and sea providing our customers with a distinct advantage. And we continue to work with the Navy to define future upgrades.”

美國海軍官員表示，第一艘最新一代美國核子動力攻擊潛艦「維吉尼亞號」今天在美國維吉尼亞州諾佛克基地舉行服役典禮，本型潛艦設計特色，在比前輩潛艦更能靠近目標海岸，從事情報任務。

美國國防部網站表示，最新一代美國核動力攻擊潛艦就叫做「維吉尼亞級」，相形前一代的「洛杉磯級」，就匿蹤、精密監視等戰力都有改善，且提升特種戰力，以符合美國海軍擁有多重戰力的需求。

維吉尼亞號核動力潛艦可以遠距離發射「戰斧」巡弋飛彈，也可以載送五十名特戰部隊戰士深入敵後。

美國海軍擬購買卅艘維吉尼亞級核動力潛艦，每艘造價廿億美元，今天服役的維吉尼亞號是其中第一艘。海軍潛艦戰力發言人麥古因表示，維吉尼亞級潛艦潛航速度超過廿五節，潛深超過水面下二百四十四公尺。但最特出的在能深入目標區，進行情報及偵監任務，也能派遣特戰人員滲透入敵方海岸線，保持艦隻所在位址及在水域中盤旋的能力特強；另外，本級潛艦擁有全自動導航管制系統，艦上人員可輕鬆在海岸區更長期從事秘密任務。

維吉尼亞級潛艦另有幾項為特戰部隊設計的特殊點。例如每次能有九名特戰戰士由潛艦的密閉艙進出；母艦能攜帶配備「先進海豹輸送系統」的幹式微型潛艇，未來還能攜帶無人潛水器。

傳統潛艦的潛望鏡已不復出現於維吉尼亞號，取而代之的是光子及光纖感測器，可以把影像由艦桅傳遞到潛艦管制中心的大型螢幕監視器。

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=15639
Navy to Commission Submarine Virginia
Story Number: NNS041022-01
Release Date: 10/22/2004 6:35:00 AM

Special release from the U.S. Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission USS Virginia (SSN 774), lead ship of the latest class of attack submarines, Oct. 23 during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va.

As the Navys next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia-class is the first submarine class specifically designed to counter post-Cold War threats and provides the Navy with the capabilities it requires to meet the threats of the 21st century.

Virginia has improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable it to meet the Navys multi-mission requirements. With a modular design, the Virginia class will be able to accommodate technology upgrades throughout the life of the class.

Sen. John Warner of Virginia will deliver the ceremony𠏋 principal address. Lynda Johnson Robb, wife of former Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia and daughter of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, will serve as the ship𠏋 sponsor. In the time-honored tradition of commissioning U.S. naval ships, Robb will give the order to 𢘫an our ship and bring her to life!?br>
This is the sixth ship of the Navy to carry the name Virginia since the original Virginia was commissioned in 1777. The last Virginia was a nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser, which was decommissioned in 1994.

Virginia can attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters and other sea forces.

Virginia also has superior anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare capabilities, is able to provide special forces delivery and support, and can conduct mine delivery and minefield mapping.

With enhanced communications connectivity, Virginia will also provide important battle group and joint task force support with full integration into carrier strike group operations.

Capt. David Kern, a native of Binghamton, N.Y., and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, will become the first commanding officer of the ship, leading a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted Sailors. Virginia will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a unit of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

Virginia is 377 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 34 feet, a navigational draft of 32 feet, displaces approximately 7,800 tons submerged, can dive to depths greater than 800 feet, and can sustain speeds of more than 25 knots when submerged.

She is also designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship ?reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

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http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/0/2021A5AB0B86EAB886256F36001220BC?OpenDocument&Headline;=Boeing+begins+building+next+generation+of+electronic-warfare

Boeing begins building next generation of electronic-warfare jet
By Tim McLaughlin
Of the Post-Dispatch
10/22/2004

Workers at Boeing Co.s fighter-production plant in St. Louis began building the Navys next generation of electronic-warfare jet Friday in what promises to be a two-fisted approach to jamming and destroying enemy radar.

Workers began assembling the forward fuselage of the EA-18G, a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Its the first of two aircraft being built for the Navy as part of a $1 billion development and demonstration contract.

Jim Albaugh, chief executive of the companys St. Louis-based defense unit, said the program is on a rapid pace. Production began only 298 days after Boeing won the contract from the Pentagon.

The plane is 200 pounds under its projected weight, Albaugh said. Thats important because the heavier the plane, the more it costs taxpayers. The program is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue for Boeing over the lifetime of the plane.

The EA-18G will replace Northrop Grumman Corp.s decades-old EA-6B Prowler, which Navy officials described as slow and unable to defend itself from enemy aircraft. Still, no air-strike mission in Iraq or Afghanistan is flown without an EA-6B, Navy Capt. Mark Darrah said.

Boeings plane, whose unofficial nickname is the Growler, will have the attack and bomb-dropping capabilities of the Super Hornet and electronics-jamming gear produced by Northrop Grumman, said Capt. Donald Gaddis, the Navys program manager for the Super Hornet and the EA-18G.

Unlike the Prowler, the EA-18G wont need a fighter escort because it can protect itself with bombs and missiles. That will free up more attack planes for combat missions. And with more automation and better cockpit displays, the EA-18G will need only two crew members. The Prowler needs a crew of four.

It is going to change the way we fight, Gaddis said.

The Navy expects to have nine EA-18Gs in its fleet by 2009. The plane thats being built in St. Louis will be airborne by September 2006, Boeing officials said. The Navys stated requirement calls for 90 of the planes.

The planes cost about $60 million apiece, but Boeing said its reducing costs because the EA-18G is being built on the same production line as the Super Hornet. Raytheon Co. will make the EA-18Gs radar equipment, and General Electric Co. will manufacture the engines.

About 5,000 employees in St. Louis work on the Super Hornet program.

（法新社華盛頓二十六日電）美國飛彈防禦署署長歐柏林中將今天說，美國計劃在北韓水域加速部署神盾艦，作為即將完成戰備的飛彈防禦系統先鋒雷達。

歐柏林並且說，美國正在與盟邦討論在歐洲建立第三處陸上飛彈攔截基地。

他列舉了美國飛彈防禦計劃的一些內容。外界預期，布希總統將宣佈飛彈防禦系統在年底前開始運作。

歐柏林在國防分析家和記者午餐\會上演說時，並未說明飛彈防禦系統將在何時運作，不過他說，系統目前正處於訓練工作人員的「整備狀態」。

目前美國在日本海已經有兩艘神盾級驅逐艦，它們強力的追蹤雷達給予陸上攔截飛彈系統領先的優勢。這些陸上飛彈攔截系統主要集中在阿拉斯加的葛瑞里堡和加州范登堡空軍基地。

歐柏林說，今年年底前，將有四到五艘神盾級戰艦開始運作，整個計劃在二００七年以前需要十八艘神盾級戰艦─十五艘驅逐艦和三艘巡洋艦。

他說，這些戰艦初期將只擔任追蹤長程飛彈的先鋒雷達的角色，但明年開始，它們將配備可以攔截中程彈道飛彈的SM三型飛彈。

Raytheon Begins Full Rate Production of MK 54 Torpedoes

TEWKSBURY, Mass., Oct. 26, 2004 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company has begun
full rate production of the MK54 torpedo, the U.S. Navys next generation
lightweight torpedo. This significant milestone follows a series of
successful technical and operational evaluations and the U.S. Navys
authorization of initial operational capability for introduction to the fleet.
Co-developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and the U.S. Navy, the
MK54 is the next generation anti-submarine warfare weapon deployed from
surface ships, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft to track, classify, and
attack underwater targets. Sophisticated processing algorithms allow the MK54
to analyze the information, edit out false targets or countermeasures, and
pursue identified threats. The MK54 is designed for both deep water and
littoral environments, making it the only lightweight torpedo capable of
striking any target in the worlds oceans, regardless of water depth.
The MK54 is the most thoroughly tested torpedo in the world. During the
recently concluded operational testing, the MK 54 met or exceeded all design
specifications and significantly surpassed baseline performance requirements,
said Rear Admiral John D. Butler, U.S. Navy, program executive officer --
Submarines. With the MK 54 lightweight torpedo now reaching the fleet,
threat submarines truly have no place to hide.
Raytheon is the U.S. Navys provider of light and heavyweight torpedoes.
The Navy chose Raytheon as the prime production supplier based on the
companys proven performance on existing torpedo contracts and demonstrated
ability to work synergistically with the Navy torpedo enterprise to produce
these hardware assets most efficiently and cost effectively.
Under the consolidated procurement contract for fiscal year 2004, Raytheon
will deliver 51 MK54 lightweight torpedoes and associated whole-life support
services. The five-year contract value, including exercised options, is
expected to exceed $500 million.
Work will be performed at Raytheons Torpedo and Readiness Center, co-
located on the U.S. Navy base in Keyport, Wash., and at the Naval Integration
Center in Portsmouth, R.I.
Based in Tewksbury, Mass., Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) is Raytheons
leader in mission systems integration. With a strong international and
domestic customer base, including the U.S. armed forces and U.S. Missile
Defense Agency, IDS provides integrated capability solutions to the air,
surface, and subsurface battlespace.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 78,000 people worldwide.

Contact:
Guy Shields
Raytheon Company
978.858.5246

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-04zh.html
US Plans To Acclerate Deployment Of Aegis Warships For Missile Defense

File image of a missile launch from an Aegis warship.
Washington (AFP) Oct 27, 2004
The United States plans to accelerate the deployment of Aegis warships in waters off North Korea to serve as forward radars for a missile defense system that is being readied for operations, a top US general said Tuesday.
Lieutenant General Henry Obering, director of the Missile Defense Agency, also said discussions were well underway with allies about placing a third site for ground-based interceptor missiles in Europe.

He outlined US missile defense plans amid expectations that President George W. Bush will declare the missile defense system to be operational before the end of the year.

Speaking to defense analysts and reporters at a luncheon, Obering would not say when the system would be put on alert but said it was now in a shakedown period with trained crews.

Theres no show-stopper there, and theres no reluctance, he said. What were doing is making our way very systematically through this. I believe when the time is right, there will be a declaratory policy that will be issued and then we will go on with business.

Two Aegis destroyers already are operating in the Sea of Japan, their powerful tracking radars serving as the leading edge of a system of ground-based interceptor missiles centered in Fort Greely, Alaska and Vandenburg Air Force Base, California .

Obering said four or five Aegis warships will be operating by the end of the year, and plans call for deploying 18 Aegis ships - 15 destroyers and three cruisers - in a missile defense role wherever they are needed by 2007.

They will serve initially only as forward radars to track long-range missiles. But starting next year they also will be equipped with SM-3 missiles designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles, he said.

Well accelerate initial forward deployed radars into 2005, Obering said.

While the North Korean missile threat is the focus of the initial missile defense system being set up in Alaska and California, the Pentagon also has begun to take steps to increase its coverage of the Middle East.

We also have plans, and have conducted quite a bit of consultations with our allies, on putting (in) a third interceptor site, he said. In addition to Fort Greely and Vandenburg well put a site in Europe to expand that coverage to our allies.

British newspaper reports earlier this month said Prime Minister Tony Blair had agreed in principle to host interceptors in Britain.

Asked why Washington was moving now on the British site when US intelligence does not forsee an Iranian threat before 2015, Obering said, We think its prudent to lay the foundation now because we are going to expect were going to run into problems. There may be some delays well have to address.

But I think its important that we invite our friends, our allies to participate in this with us, and that they can benefit from the coverage the same way we have. Because they are defenseless against the threat just like we would have been if we had not begun to deploy this, he said.

A tracking radar at Beale Air Force Base in California also will be upgraded next year to provide coverage of ballistic missile threats emanating from the Middle East, he said.

As envisioned by the Pentagon, the system initially will be centered on ground-based interceptor missiles in Alaska and California that would be cued to collide in space with incoming long-range missiles through an elaborate computer-linked network of radars and other sensors.

The plan has aroused intense controversy over the years. Critics say it has been insufficiently tested, and that the tests to date have been conducted under unrealistic conditions.

Obering said the systems next integrated flight test will be in December, its first in nearly two years.

Meanwhile, five interceptor missiles have been positioned in launch silos at Fort Greely, and a sixth is due to be added in November. Two more interceptor missiles are to go into silos at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California by the end of the year.

Work to upgrade a Cobra Dane tracking radar on Shemya Island has been completed, upgrades of another radar in RAF Fylingdales in Britain are on track for completionin February, he said.

DAVID C. HENLEY
October 27, 2004

The year was 1969.

The Vietnam War was going full bore, and U.S. involvement had reached such a crescendo that more than 540,000 United States military personnel were serving in that war-torn nation.

But despite this countrys escalating involvement in the growing war, President Richard M. Nixon and Pentagon chiefs were not satisfied with the kill ratio of Navy pilots when compared with the ratio they achieved during World War II and the Korean War.

The Vietnam War ratio, Navy brass said, was low because aviators had become too dependent on technology and deficient in the basics of air-to-air combat.

As a result, a new and innovative Navy campus named the Fighter Weapons School was commissioned that year at San Diegos Miramar Naval Air Station to rectify the problem.

Soon nicknamed the Top Gun school, the program began training Navy pilots for brutally realistic dogfights in an effort to increase their efficiency and raise the critical kill-ratio.

These efforts paid off handsomely. Soon, the previous 2:1 ratio was elevated to an astonishing 12:1. Top Guns training had paid dividends.

The school received national and international praise and recognition. The motion picture Top Gun, released in 1986, 17 years after the Top Gun schools founding, raised the schools aura and mystique to even greater heights.

In 1996, following a 1993 nationwide military base closure and realignment commission decision to switch the Miramar air station from a Navy to a Marine Corps facility, Top Gun moved to NAS Fallon.

Already in place at NAS Fallon at that time was the Naval Strike Warfare Center. With the arrival here of Top Gun, the Strike Center was renamed the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center when it combined Top Gun with the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (nicknamed Top Dome).

The move to Fallon in 1996 by Top Gun made headlines all over the nation.

Newspaper, magazine, radio and television reporters and photographers flocked to both San Diego and Fallon to cover the historic move.

The Los Angeles Times, for example, in covering the May 29, 1996 changeover from San Diego to Fallon, headlined its page one story, An Era Ends in San Diego as Navys Top Guns Take Off.

Four F-l4 Tomcats and 12 F/A-l8 Hornets punched into the overcast morning sky from the runway at Miramar Naval Air Station as the Navys famed Top Gun school completed its move from Miramar to Fallon, Nevada.

It has been just over 10 years since the movie Top Gun starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis did for naval fighter pilots what Tom Wolfes book The Right Stuff did for astronauts. Overnight, the Top Gun school became the most widely known and glamorous of all military commands, the Times said.

The San Diego Union Tribune said in a story from Fallon, Emigrants en route to California passed through here in the 1840s and Pony Express riders followed suit in the 1860s.

Hotshot fighter jocks moving to NAS Fallon from NAS Miramar who will trade the off-duty amenities of Southern California for a high-desert outpost in Western Nevada may take some time getting used to their move, said the newspaper.

The Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle-Standard wrote about Top Guns move to Fallon:

In what looked like a scene from the movie of the same name, Top Gun pilots and students arrived at NAS Fallon and were greeted by family members, base officials and members of the media.

Their arrival was one of the last steps in the process of making Fallon the training schools new home. The majority of Top Guns personnel have already arrived at the base here with the remaining members due within the next week, the newspaper said.

Today, 35 years after the founding of Top Gun, eight years after its move to NAS Fallon, and 60 years after the commissioning of NAS Fallon, Top Gun, now an integral part of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, continues to be the Navys prime tactical training program for its pilots as well as one of the worlds most noted centers for aviation excellence.

Although the Top Gun name is still used to signify the historical significance of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) training and curriculum, the Top Gun legacy and mission have been subsumed into NSAWC which emphasizes the importance of air-to-ground as well as air-to-air training.

Providing training to aircrews, squadrons and airwings throughout the Navy, NSAWCs permanent staff of 300 military and 500 civilian contractor personnel host an average of five visiting airwings a year.

Each airwing consists of approximately 65 aircraft and from 1,800 to 2,000 personnel, according to base spokesman Zip Upham.

Flying in the skies high over Fallon in F/A-18 Hornets, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Tigers as well as a variety of other airplanes and helicopters, students at the school engage in a multi-faceted curriculum that includes not only aerial combat skills but airborne battle management, Combat Search and Rescue, Close Air Support and Naval Air Intelligence.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the founding of Top Gun. Despite its inclusion in the overall curriculum and concept of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center here, Top Gun retains its distinctive image, history and heritage.