Page:Airmobility 1961-1971.pdf/37

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GROWTH OF THE CONCEPT

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The basic Board membership was thirteen general officers and five civilians.^[1] Some 3,200 military personnel and 90 civilians participated in various phases of war games, equipment and troop testing. Whole units were diverted from overseas deployments to be included in the tests. For example, a Caribou company which had been planned for the Pacific was delayed specifically by the Secretary of the Army, with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, so that it might take part in the tests.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense instructed the Department of the Air Force to support the Howze Board. On 8 May the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric, requested the U.S. Air Force to contribute to the efforts of the Board through the use of its air transport capability, especially as a means of achieving air lines of communication within a combat theater. He stated that the Army would request up to a squadron of C-130's in its exercise and tests and that this would be a good chance for the U.S. Air Force to "sell" its services and capabilities. After detailed requirements were formulated, Secretary Stahr contacted Air Force Secretary Eugene M. Zuckert to work out arrangements between Continental Army Command and the Air Force Tactical Air Command.

The most significant major activity of the Board throughout its deliberations was the investigation, testing and evaluation of the organizational and operational concepts of airmobility. The findings and evaluations of field tests, war games, operations research, and visits to overseas combat theaters provided support to the final Board report.

Much effort was devoted to field experimentation for the purpose of comparing a conventionally equipped force with one made airmobile by adding aircraft. The Board had for a test force one battle group and part-time use of two others plus the artillery and engineers of the 82d Airborne Division. In addition, the testing

↑ General Howze was not only President of the Board, but Chairman of the Steering and Review Committee as well. In addition to General Howze, seven other officers and six top-level civilians originally composed the Steering and Review Committee. These included Major General Ben Harrell, Major General William B. Rosson, Brigadier General John J. Lane, Brigadier General Edward L. Rowny, Brigadier General Delk M. Oden, Brigadier General Robert R. Williams, Colonel William M. Lynn, Jr., Dr. Jacob A. Stockfisch, Dr. Edwin W. Paxson, Eugene Vidal, Fred Wolcott, Frank A. Parker, and Edward H. Heinemann. Mr. Parker, General Rowny, and Colonel Lynn also served as chiefs of working committees. Other senior board members (eventually added to the Steering and Review Committee) were named working committee chiefs—Major General Clifton F. von Kann, Major General Norman H. Vissering, Brigadier General Frederic W. Boye, Jr., and Brigadier General Walter B. Richardson.

[ref1-1] General Howze was not only President of the Board, but Chairman of the Steering and Review Committee as well. In addition to General Howze, seven other officers and six top-level civilians originally composed the Steering and Review Committee. These included Major General Ben Harrell, Major General William B. Rosson, Brigadier General John J. Lane, Brigadier General Edward L. Rowny, Brigadier General Delk M. Oden, Brigadier General Robert R. Williams, Colonel William M. Lynn, Jr., Dr. Jacob A. Stockfisch, Dr. Edwin W. Paxson, Eugene Vidal, Fred Wolcott, Frank A. Parker, and Edward H. Heinemann. Mr. Parker, General Rowny, and Colonel Lynn also served as chiefs of working committees. Other senior board members (eventually added to the Steering and Review Committee) were named working committee chiefs—Major General Clifton F. von Kann, Major General Norman H. Vissering, Brigadier General Frederic W. Boye, Jr., and Brigadier General Walter B. Richardson.

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