Viewing page 24 of 35

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Press Conference, 17 May 49 (Cont'd)

Mr. M:  Lt. Savor, coming out of the Pentagon, he doesn't satisfy me. I will scream with horror if I read who is coming here. Can you tell me about when so our outlets in Washington can start hounding the Pentagon? When I phone my story in they are going to ask that question - "When can we expect the name of the outfit and where it is coming from."

Lt. S.:  I can't answer that question.

Col. D.:  I am hounding, too.

Lt. S.:  I think the Citizen people over there, or the wire services with any connection here at all, have been hounding, sir.

Mr. M.:  I am sure of it.

Lt. S.:  We have passed it right now. Operations knows we are being hounded. We want to give an answer, an honest answer, because it is public property and the public has a right to know. We don't have the answer at the moment. May be on the telephone into the Information Division right now. May not happen until next week. I will guarantee you this one thing, Columbus will know about it pretty quick after we get it. That is about the only way I can answer it. I wish I could give you another answer. I know your prime interest in your community and local press. 

Mr. M.:  You have assured me Lockbourne won't grow in weeds - it will still be a major part of the Air Force.

Lt. S.:  It will be an operational part of the Air Force. It will not be inactivated. That is well determined.

Mr. M.:  Will the incoming unit be as large numerically as the Colonel's Wing?

Lt. S.:  That is a difficult question to answer because the personnel strength of units is pretty flexible, but generally speaking, I would say, "Yes" because the major tenant unit of the base generally runs around group composition. I scarcely imagine the Air Force would intend to maintain Lockbourne on an active status and put in two or three squadrons or something of that kind. It wouldn't be economical at all. I am pretty sure it will be comparable in size. Whatever the unit is, that is a matter of pure economy.

Mr. M.:  Can we land B-29s out here legally?

Lt. S.:  I wouldn't want to answer that question until I had a reading on.......

[[centered]] 8 [[/centered]]