bombs used in the war with Iraq introduced a
new age of weaponry to nearly everyone in
America. Millions of people had a birds-eye
view of enemy command and control centers
enveloped in clouds of smoke and debris as
television broadcast vivid images of the bombs
hitting their mark. There were many success
stories in DESERT STORM, including new
weapons, previously fired only in testing,
evaluation or training exercises. For the most
part, they performed exactly as they were in-
tended. The "old reliables" also proved to be
just that. The ships, planes, bombs, and mis-
siles all worked well. However, the ingredient
which made it all work was the one cited by
Defense Secretary Dick Cheney when he said,
"Everybody talks about the wonder weapons,
but the most impressive capability we have is
our people."

THE POST WAR PERIOD.      Regardless of
when the majority of DESERT SHIELD I
STORM forces return home, the Navy will still
be representing the U.S. in the Persian Gulf.
Naval forces have transited the region since
1801, and the reasons behind our stationing a
permanent naval presence in the Gulf since
1948 have been revalidated by this most recent
conflict.

     The President has announced that na-
val presence in the region will be beefed up,
and we are busy working on how to best carry
out that tasking. Naval forces will once again
provide the primary United States presence in
the region, perhaps supplemented by addi-
tional prepositioned equipment and a strength-
ened program of military exercises with our
allies.


                                     -49-

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