unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/24/89)
DOD NEWS BRIEFING BY FRED S. HOFFMAN, PDASD/PA
Posting Date: 09/24/89 Source: UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Host: (201) 795-0733 ISSN: 1043-7932
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1989 - Noon
PDASD/Public Affairs Fred S. Hoffman
My one offering this afternoon is to call your attention to a
speech text, to be delivered by the Secretary of the Air Force
Donald B. Rice to the Air Force Association National Convention
today. Copies available. That's all I have to offer you.
Q: What do you have on Puerto Rico?
A: Information we have -- which is still far from complete, is
that there was damage, some of it major, at the Naval Station at
Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. Virtually every structure
received some damage. Some of it was severe. There were no
significant personnel injuries reported. There have been
disruptions of power and communications.
The Naval airfield at Roosevelt Roads was closed, but is now
operational for daytime use. Many of the runway lights were
damaged, which is why they're not usable for night operations.
All the major facilities such as the piers and airfield are in
use, but there is, of course, some reduced effectiveness.
Beyond that, we are evacuating about 600 of our personnel from
the Naval Undersea Center at Andros Island in the Bahamas as a
precaution. We are pro- viding airlift support to the Office of
Foreign Disaster Assistance (State Dep carrying relief
commodities to St. John and Antigua. Of course we stand ready
to provide additional assistance as it's required.
Other information I have here suggests that the Air Force
Satellite Tracking Station on Antigua suffered very heavy damage
but no injuries. Roofs, equipment, sewage plant, electrical
distribution system, etcetera, were badly damaged.
One other item, a solar observatory at Raimey Air Force Base was
slightly damaged. No injuries. We will update this information
during the day as more comes in. That's essentially what we've
collected up to this point.
Q: (Inaudible)
A: Not that I'm aware of. I don't believe that's the case.
Q: (Inaudible)
A: I've asked about that and I have no indication that there is
anything like that being provided by our services or this
department--except in the assistance to St. John and Antigua.
NOTE: Due to a technical problem we do not have a complete tape
of today's br
Q: (Inaudible)
A: It's related to anti-submarine warfare.
Q: You said the building was damaged at the air station. Did
they fly o airplanes?
A: I do not have anything I can provide you on that yet. As I
said, thi is the best information we've been able to collect so
far. I expect there to be more details later.
Q: The 600 evacuees, are those all military personnel or
dependents?
A: I'm not certain on that score.
Q: I think it's a little bit of all. Yes, there are...
A: Anything else?
Q: On the MX?
A: I do have something on the MX here. The Air Force is
conducting tests to identify what happened after the Peacekeeper
missile reached third stage separation. Until all tests are
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