MANOEUVRES IN U.S.

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 11

MANOEUVRES IN U.S.

Strategic Air Command

(Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 15. The Strategic Air Command, the United States long-range hydrogen bomber foice, apparently engaged in stepped-up exercises within the United States tonight, the United Press said. The Air Force said the activity was “routine training” and was not necessarily linked with recent fighting in the Middle East. Meanwhile, naval officers disclosed that 13 aircraft carriers with accompanying cruisers and destroyers now were deployed in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean. Naval “readiness training” has been under way since the Middle East crisis erupted. The United Press said that there was speculation in Washington that a task force, probably built around two aircraft carriers, might be dispatched to he Indian Ocean area. Defence officials made no comment except to say that any United States military deployments would not be provocative. The Strategic Air Command’s night activity came to public attention when the biggest social event of the season at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts,, was suddenly cancelled so that the bomber units could carry out exercises. At the Omaha Headquarters of General Curtis Le May, the S.A.C. commander, an officer said: “If trouble strikes, the enemy is not going to hold off for a dance at an air force base.”