cause of too few spare parts and trained maintenance personnel-a period when morale sank to a historic low. It is essential that we protect the substantial gains of the 1980s.

In preparing my remarks, I was struck by some of the common threads that are woven into both my statement and those of my predecessors.

At the same time, I am aware there may exist a greater prospect now than a year ago, for a lessening of tensions between East and West.

There is greater optimism for progress in arms control and in many other matters which historically have been a source of friction.

SOVIET MILITARY CAPABILITIES

Certainly changes are taking place within the Soviet system, but the extent and duration of these changes are unknown.

We can watch and hope for improvements in the way we do business, but we still live in a dangerous, unpredictable world.

And, today's military realities are not as positive as some political projections of the future would have you believe.

While there has been a reduction in the number of Soviet out-ofarea naval operations, the Kremlin has aggressively pursued a naval construction program which includes advanced submarines, surface combatants and aircraft carriers.

In fact, Soviet military capabilities continue to grow across the board.

We are seeing frontline Soviet naval aviation units deploy for the first time to forward areas on the Kola Peninsula, adjacent to the Barents Sea. Their Yankee strategic submarines are once again on patrol in the Western Atlantic.

Strategic warheads at sea are increasing as they deploy new and more advanced systems.

So I would like you to understand that I am not oblivious to the reassuring prospects which are capturing the headlines. But, as a unified commander, I must be a realist and pragmatically approach my command responsibilities based upon what is observed rather than what we might hope. And today, the Soviet Union stands as the only nation able to present a serious military threat in my area of responsibility.

Until we see real and substantial reductions in their military capability, we must remain ready to meet the challenges at hand. To look to this task forms the essence of my duties as a unified commander.

CONCLUSION

Thank you for asking me to appear. Your strong support for the armed forces over the past years has been instrumental in the significant positive change that we in uniform have experienced and I believe most of you have observed.

Mr. Chairman, I will try to answer your questions.

[The biographical sketch and statement of Admiral Kelso follow:]

From January 1969 to August 1971, he served as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland. Following tours included Commanding Officer, USS Finback; Staff of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and Commanding Officer, USS Bluefish. Admiral Kelso was then assigned as Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic from September 1975 to July 1977.

He served as Commander, Submarine Squadron Seven until reporting as Division Director, Submarine Distribution Division in the Naval Military Personnel Command, and Section Head of the Submarine Programs Section in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower/Personnel and Training) in September 1978. He was selected for promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral in February 1980.

Upon selection for flag rank, Admiral Kelso served as Director, Strategic Submarine Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and then was assigned as Director, Office of Program Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy. On February 8, 1985, Admiral Kelso became Commander Sixth Fleet and NATO Commander Naval Striking Force and Support Forces Southern Europe. On June 30, 1986, Admiral Kelso was promoted to Admiral and assumed the duties of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Admiral Kelso became Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command on November 22, 1988.

Admiral Kelso has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service, Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals.

He is married to the former Landess McCown of Florence, South Carolina. They have four children: Thomas, attending medical school; Donald, who is in the Navy; Mary, who works in Norfolk, Virginia; and Kerry, a student attending college.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNTIL RELEASED BY THE

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE

THE U.S. ATLANTIC COMMAND

STRATEGY, CAPABILITIES AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE

7 FEBRUARY 1989

A PRESENTATION BY

ADMIRAL FRANK B. KELSO, II

Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command

31 January 1989

Introduction

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I appreciate your invitation to discuss the Atlantic Command and the important part it plays in our National security. As this is my first appearance before this committee as USCINCLANT, I hope to give you a good appreciation of my area of responsibility, explain our strategy with present and programmed military forces and to discuss strengths and areas of concern in the Atlantic Command.

In preparing this statement I was struck by its similarity with the statements of my predecessors; while at the same time recognizing the general feeling in the United States and in Europe that progress has been made toward resolving some of the issues causing friction between the United States and the Soviet Union. An improvement in the way we do business is, in my judgement, good for the entire world. However, in spite of the rhetoric, I must approach my command responsibilities based on the military threat which is possible and observed. While there has been a reduction in Soviet out-of-area naval operations, there has not been a reduction in existing naval forces or a decrease in new construction of naval combatants, support ships and aircraft; and, in fact, we have seen a deployment of frontline Soviet naval aviation units to forward areas in the Kola Peninsula, adjacent to the Barents Sea; and Yankee strategic submarines have resumed patrols in the Western Atlantic. So, I would like you to understand I am not oblivious to what is making front page news; but, as a military commander, I must be a realist and pragmatist

and prepare for the observed threat or challenge. I believe that is what you wish me to do.

I sincerely hope the tensions in our world will continue to

decrease.

But, until we see a change in the military capability of the only nation able to provide a serious challenge within my area of responsibility we must remain prepared to meet that challenge. I strongly believe forty years of preparedness to meet that challenge is a major reason for the encouraging developments now underway in the Kremlin.

Atlantic Command

The Atlantic Command is primarily a maritime command. It encompasses the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. In addition, it includes waters in the Pacific adjacent to Central and South America. The Atlantic Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) are a major link between the United States and the rest of Through this area pass many of the strategic raw

the world.

materials, petroleum and finished products which are the foundation of world trade. And it is over these same SLOCS that reinforcement and resupply shipping must flow in the event of conflict, of whatever intensity, in Europe, the Middle East or Africa.

I cannot overstate the importance of the Atlantic to the U.S. and our NATO allies. In a conflict with the Soviet Union, my

responsibility is to support the land campaign in Europe by

ensuring the safe and timely flow of personnel and equipment over