is extremely critical. We need to make sure that it stays viable. One of the ways that we think you could help us is if we could get the congressionally mandated stock assortment restrictions lifted during this congressional season.

Now, Secretary Widnall has already outlined our time-phased modernization program. I would just reiterate, as the chairman mentioned in his opening remarks, that it is important that we do have time-phased modernization if it is going to be affordable. The Air Force equipment that we have today and on the books is the envy of the world, but we need to press forward to make sure that we get that equipment.

We talked about the C-17 and its global mobility, and JSTARS, a system that has already been to war twice, and we still have not declared its initial operational capability. In both cases, the CINCS that were supported by JSTARS were overwhelming in their enthusiasm for it.

We saw our B-2 employ the GATS/GAM munitions this year, 16 bombs on 16 discrete targets. The F-22, a revolutionary aircraft to meet the needs of the joint team in the 21st Century has been under construction and rolls out in April.

During the past year, we came to the conclusion of an almost 18month, long-range planning effort in the Air Force, and we produced a new strategic vision-and there is a long-range plan that goes with it. This vision, is called Global Engagement. It is there to meet the needs of the Nation in the 21st Century. It had a wide range of inputs from science, industry, academia, sister services, and futurists. We used products from our Scientific Advisory Board and studies at our Air University. All these things came together to define what we think are the core capabilities that an air force needs to provide to the Nation as part of a joint team.

We are committed to integrating air and space into all operations as we transition more and more of our activities into space. We have a blueprint, where we can develop airmen who bring a joint team a better understanding and an appreciation for what air and space will do.

As I mentioned, we are committed to innovation and reinvigorating the spirit of creativity, by creating focused Battlelabs that are combined with centers of excellence, under the command of operational commanders, so that we can aggressively exploit new technology, new capabilities—like the UAV, space, air expeditionary activities and places like our composite wing out in Idaho.

But we have a commitment to providing an integrated picture of the battle space to the joint force commander, through our battle management efforts. So since the end of the Cold War, we have focussed on restructuring and downsizing. The United States Air Force took its cuts early, so that we would have that money available to fund readiness and to fund the beginning of this modernization program.

Since 1990, the major installations have been reduced from 139 to 87. Fighter wings from 36 to 20, bombers from 301 to 138 (fiscal year 1998/1 number), and ICBMs from 1,000 to 550. I would tell you that we are interested in combat capability. Mr. Chairman, we look forward to addressing with you and the members of the committee the end strength issue, because we think what we have

done, when it is examined, you will see makes sense. If it does not, we need to know that.

But we have tried to shape our forces so that we have balanced force structure, modernization and readiness. But we believe this is the time to concentrate on making sure that our people and our equipment are ready for the challenges of the 21st Century.

Again, as I said, this vision statement, "Global Engagement," tells you how we think the Air Force will fit into the larger picture that we see developing from a national military strategy and from the chairman's "Joint Vision, 2010." I would like to offer, Mr. Chairman, if I could, a copy of this document for entry into the record, if you would be so kind.

Chairman THURMOND. Without objection, so ordered.
General FOGLEMAN. Thank you, sir.
[The information referred to follows:]

Welcome to the United States Air Force vision into the first quarter of the 21st Century. This vision is one of air and space power and covers all aspects of our Air Force - people, capabilities, and support structures. It charts a path into the next century as an Air Force team within a joint team.

While Global Reach-Global Power has served us well, extraordinary developments in the post-Cold War era have made it essential that we design a new strategic vision for the United States Air Force. As a result, we embarked on an intensive 18-month effort to develop a comprehensive vision to shape the nation's Air Force during the first quarter of the 21st Century. This endeavor culminated in a week-long meeting of senior Air Force leaders who agreed on the future direction of our Service.

Global Engagement: A Vision for the 21st Century Air Force flows from the National Security Strategy and is our continuing commitment to provide America the air and space capabilities required to deter, fight and win. This vision is grounded in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff concept of how we will fight in the early 21st Century - Joint Vision 2010. Moreover, it embodies our belief that in the 21st Century, the strategic instrument of choice will be air and space power.

In the end, our success in implementing this vision will depend on the outstanding men and women who make up the nation's Air Force.