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Continental Air Defense: A Dedicated Force Is No Longer Needed

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date May 3, 1994
Report No. NSIAD-94-76
Subject
Summary:

The continental air defense evolved during the Cold War to detect and intercept Soviet bombers attacking North America via the North Pole. GAO concludes that such an air defense is no longer needed and could be disbanded at an annual savings of as much as $370 million. Other reserve and active units are well equipped to handle what has become the defense force's current focus--intercepting drug smugglers. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended that (1) the continental air defense be performed by dual tasking active and reserve general-purpose fighter and training squadrons in the Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps and (2) the number of Air National Guard units assigned to this mission be sharply reduced or eliminated. The Secretary of Defense's guidance and the Air Force's plan, however, accomplish only part of what was envisioned by the Chairman, allowing the Air National Guard to retain an excessive force structure and incur the associated operating and support costs.

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