THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986.

FISCAL YEAR 1987 AIR FORCE POSTURE

WITNESSES

HONORABLE RUSSELL A. ROURKE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE GENERAL CHARLES A. GABRIEL, CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

INTRODUCTION

Mr. CHAPPELL. The committee will please come to order.

Today the committee is conducting hearings on the Air Force's fiscal year 1987 budget request. We are happy to receive testimony from the new Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Russell A. Rourke.

Mr. Rourke, the committee wishes you much success in your new position. As this is the first time you have testified before the committee, your biography will be placed into the record. [The biography of Secretary Rourke follows:]

RUSSELL A. ROURKE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

Prior to becoming the senior civilian leader of the Air Force, Mr. Rourke served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs for the Department of Defense from May 1981 until December 1985.

As Assistant Secretary, Mr. Rourke was the principal advisor to Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger on Congressional consideration of the Department's legislative program, maintaining direct liaison with the Congress, the Executive Office of the President and other Government agencies on defense legislative matters, and overseeing the military departments' Congressional activities on defense matters. He was awarded the DoD Distinguished Public Service Medal by Secretary Weinberger for his superb service as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Rourke is a veteran of Capitol Hill and White House assignments. He began his government experience as administrative assistant to Congressman John R. Pillion (R-NY) in 1960. He became administrative assistant to Congressman Henry P. Smith, III (R-NY) in 1965, and in 1977 assumed a similar position with Congressman Harold S. Sawyer of Michigan.

In 1974, Mr. Rourke was the Republican-Conservative nominee for Congress from the 36th District of New York. Following that candidacy, he became deputy to Presidential Counselor John O. Marsh, Jr. He was appointed special assistant to President Gerald R. Ford in 1976. His principal responsibilities included serving as legislative liaison between the White House and Congress, and participating regularly in policy and program meetings with the President, members of the cabinet and White House senior staff. Mr. Rourke also undertook special projects assigned by President Ford, and his final responsibilities included assignment to the White House Transition Team-1977.

Mr. Rourke retired after 32 years service in July 1985 as a Colonel from the US Marine Corps Reserve in which he served as the commanding officer of Marine Air Control Squadron 24, Quantico, Virginia, from 1972 to 1974. He had enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1953, completing active duty as a first lieutenant after serving a tour of duty in Korea. His decorations include the Legion of Merit.

Mr. Rourke was born on December 30, 1931, in New York City. He graduated with honors from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of arts degree in 1953 and

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986.

FISCAL YEAR 1987 AIR FORCE POSTURE

WITNESSES

HONORABLE RUSSELL A. ROURKE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE GENERAL CHARLES A. GABRIEL, CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

INTRODUCTION

Mr. CHAPPELL. The committee will please come to order.

Today the committee is conducting hearings on the Air Force's fiscal year 1987 budget request. We are happy to receive testimony from the new Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Russell A. Rourke.

Mr. Rourke, the committee wishes you much success in your new position. As this is the first time you have testified before the committee, your biography will be placed into the record. [The biography of Secretary Rourke follows:]

RUSSELL A. ROURKE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

Prior to becoming the senior civilian leader of the Air Force, Mr. Rourke served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs for the Department of Defense from May 1981 until December 1985. DITA/289

As Assistant Secretary, Mr. Rourke was the principal advisor to Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger on Congressional consideration of the Department's legislative program, maintaining direct liaison with the Congress, the Executive Office of the President and other Government agencies on defense legislative matters, and overseeing the military departments' Congressional activities on defense matters. He was awarded the DoD Distinguished Public Service Medal by Secretary Weinberger r for his superb service as Assistant

Secretary of Defense for Legislative

White House assignments. He began tant to Congressman John R. Pilistant to Congressman Henry P. nilar position with Congressman

tive nominee for Congress from dacy, he became deputy to Presiinted special assistant to Presiities included serving as legisnd participating regularly in rs of the cabinet and White jects assigned by President o the White House Transi

as a Colonel from the US nding officer of Marine Air 974. He had enlisted in the lieutenant after serving a of Merit.

ork City. He graduated with r of arts degree in 1953 and Jerit abio mi note

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1986.

FISCAL YEAR 1987 AIR FORCE POSTURE

WITNESSES

HONORABLE RUSSELL A. ROURKE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE GENERAL CHARLES A. GABRIEL, CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

INTRODUCTION

Mr. CHAPPELL. The committee will please come to order.

Today the committee is conducting hearings on the Air Force's fiscal year 1987 budget request. We are happy to receive testimony from the new Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Russell A. Rourke.

Mr. Rourke, the committee wishes you much success in your new position. As this is the first time you have testified before the committee, your biography will be placed into the record. [The biography of Secretary Rourke follows:]

RUSSELL A. ROURKE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

Prior to becoming the senior civilian leader of the Air Force, Mr. Rourke served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs for the Department of Defense from May 1981 until December 1985.

As Assistant Secretary, Mr. Rourke was the principal advisor to Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger on Congressional consideration of the Department's legislative program, maintaining direct liaison with the Congress, the Executive Office of the President and other Government agencies on defense legislative matters, and overseeing the military departments' Congressional activities on defense matters. He was awarded the DoD Distinguished Public Service Medal by Secretary Weinberger for his superb service as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Rourke is a veteran of Capitol Hill and White House assignments. He began his government experience as administrative assistant to Congressman John R. Pillion (R-NY) in 1960. He became administrative assistant to Congressman Henry P. Smith, III (R-NY) in 1965, and in 1977 assumed a similar position with Congressman Harold S. Sawyer of Michigan.

In 1974, Mr. Rourke was the Republican-Conservative nominee for Congress from the 36th District of New York. Following that candidacy, he became deputy to Presidential Counselor John O. Marsh, Jr. He was appointed special assistant to President Gerald R. Ford in 1976. His principal responsibilities included serving as legislative liaison between the White House and Congress, and participating regularly in policy and program meetings with the President, members of the cabinet and White House senior staff. Mr. Rourke also undertook special projects assigned by President Ford, and his final responsibilities included assignment to the White House Transition Team-1977.

Mr. Rourke retired after 32 years service in July 1985 as a Colonel from the US Marine Corps Reserve in which he served as the commanding officer of Marine Air Control Squadron 24, Quantico, Virginia, from 1972 to 1974. He had enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1953, completing active duty as a first lieutenant after serving a tour of duty in Korea. His decorations include the Legion of Merit.

Mr. Rourke was born on December 30, 1931, in New York City. He graduated with honors from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of arts degree in 1953 and