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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 9773. Acquisition and construction: air bases and depots
(a) The Secretary of the Air Force shall determine the sites of
such additional permanent air bases and depots in all strategic
areas of the United States and the Territories, Commonwealths,
possessions, and holdings as he considers necessary. He shall
determine when the enlargement of existing air bases and depots is
necessary for the effective peacetime training of the Air Force.
(b) In determining the sites of new air bases and depots, the
Secretary shall consider the following regions for the purposes
indicated -
(1) the Atlantic northeast, for training in cold weather and in
fog;
(2) the Atlantic southeast and Caribbean areas, for training in
long-range operations, especially those incident to reinforcing
the defenses of the Panama Canal;
(3) the southeastern United States, to provide a depot
necessary to maintain the Air Force;
(4) the Pacific northwest, to establish and maintain air
communication with Alaska;
(5) Alaska, for training under conditions of extreme cold;
(6) the Rocky Mountain area, to provide a depot necessary to
maintain the Air Force, and for training in operations from
fields in high altitudes; and
(7) other regions, for the establishment of intermediate air
bases to provide for transcontinental movements of the Air Force
for maneuvers.
(c) In selecting sites for air bases and depots covered by this
section and in determining the alteration or enlargement of
existing air bases or depots, the Secretary shall consider the need
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(1) to form the nucleus for concentration of Air Force units in
time of war;
(2) to permit, in time of peace, training and effective
planning in each strategic area for the use and expansion of
commercial, municipal, and private flying installations in time
of war;
(3) to locate, in each strategic area in which it is considered
necessary, adequate storage facilities for munitions and other
articles necessary to facilitate the movement, concentration,
maintenance, and operation of the Air Force; and
(4) to afford the maximum warning against surprise attack by
enemy aircraft upon aviation of the United States and its
necessary installations consistent with maintaining, in
connection with existing or contemplated landing fields, the full
power of the Air Force for operations necessary in the defense of
the United States, and in the defense and reinforcement of the
Territories, Commonwealths, possessions, and holdings.
(d) In carrying out this section, the Secretary, on behalf of the
United States, may acquire title, in fee simple and free of
encumbrance, to any land that he considers necessary -
(1) by accepting title without cost to the United States;
(2) by exchanging military reservations or parts thereof for
that land, upon the written approval of the President; or
(3) by purchase or condemnation, if acquisition by gift or
exchange is impracticable.
(e) The Secretary may, by purchase, gift, lease, or otherwise,
acquire at desired locations bombing and machine gun ranges
necessary for practice by, and the training of, tactical units.
(f) At each air base or depot established under this section, the
Secretary shall remove or remodel existing structures as necessary;
do necessary grading; and provide buildings, utilities,
communication systems, landing fields and mats, roads, walks,
aprons, docks, runways, facilities for the storage and distribution
of ammunition, fuel, oil, necessary protection against bombs, and
all appurtenances to the foregoing.
(g) The Secretary may direct the transportation of personnel, and
the purchase, renovation, and transportation of material, that he
considers necessary to carry out this section.
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