Los Banos Rotary Club History
Major E. Staebell Explains "New Look"

Speaking at the Rotary Club luncheon here Tuesday noon, Maj. Edward F. Staebell, an instructor in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Fresno State College, gave Rotarians a new conception in the "New Look" of our national defense program instituted by Admiral Radford.
Pointing out that in a very few more years man can travel to any other point on the globe in less than 10 hours, Staebell cited the fact that today, as never before in history, our peace depends on modern, complete fighting power. Today, he said, where we are in fact, neighbors of every man, drastic changes office in our relationship – politically, economically, socially and culturally within our world society. We must be prepared to think and act in terms of our association with the people of all lands.

Staebell quoted General Deichelman, commandant of the Air Force ROTC, as saying "the best way to prevent was is to be strong to the point that no aggressor dare move because of the knowledge that he will suffer catastrophic retaliation."

Economy and logic dictate, Staebell said, that when land, sea and air forces are combined into joint operations, the one having the dominant capabilities to meet the particular situation should be primary, with the others in supporting roles. Today, the Air Force is the only force capable of achieving decision by direct destruction or neutralization of the key points of the enemy's war making capacity without the necessity of long or costly campaigns to defeat enemy military forces on world-wide frontiers.

As an indication of what such forces are capable of, the Major reminded that today Russia has more than 500 combat aircraft within striking distance of the United States. Assuming an all out attack, with 250 of such planes carrying atomic weapons, that 10 per cent of such planes return to base because of mechanical or other trouble, that our defense forces were able to knock down all but 150 of them, and that another 50 missed their targets, the remaining 100 planes could destroy approximately one-third of our industrial centers, cause 11 million casualties and wipe out most of our largest cities.
As to the potency of today's atomic weapons, he said that a modern atomic bomb dropped on the Oakland Municipal Airport would virtually wipe out the bay area as far as Martinez, and that the resultant radio active atomic ash would extend to within five or ten miles of Los Banos.

The cost of our newly modeled air force program, Staebell said, is budgeted at $16.2 billion, or only a bit more than the $15 billion spent within the U.S. last year for regular civilian law enforcement.

The speaker was introduced by program chairman Charles Alden.
Sid Rowe, local hardware store proprietor, was welcomed into the Rotary Club as a new member, with appropriate indoctrination ceremonies conducted by Past President L. J. Spindt.

Club President Kenneth Anderson, who has been sitting on the sidelines the past two months after losing his voice following a throat operation, was back at the head of the table Tuesday, presiding in his customary efficient manner. Past President Charles Kaljian has presided at the club luncheons during Anderson's whispering period.

March 26, 1954

---