Navy eyes salvage unit as target for downsizing

The navy is considering deactivating its only search-and-rescue force -- the fleet salvage unit -- as part of the next wave of personnel streamlining set to begin in 2004, defense sources said yesterday.

The move is ironic in that a member of the unit has recently been selected as one of the most outstanding servicemen of the year for his recovery in mid-June of a black box from the China Airlines passenger jet that crashed off of Penghu.

But sources said it is not surprising that navy leaders see the unit as expendable when it comes to the next wave of streamlining, known as the "Chinchin Project," since it is easier to sacrifice smaller units than larger ones.

In the previous round of personnel reduction, the "Chinshih Project," the navy also chose smaller units as targets.

The targets included the special-operations unit and an infantry battalion of the marine corps.

The special-operations unit of the marine corps, which was one of the few anti-terror forces in the three services, was greatly downsized and merged into the navy's amphibious reconnaissance group.

The infantry battalion suffered a much worse fate -- it was ordered to disband within one night, a navy official said.

"The order was a compromise between the leaders of the three services. Then navy commander-in-chief Admiral Li Chieh (李傑), now chief of the general staff, was asked by leaders of the army and air force to cut more troops as they had done their part in the services-wide troop reduction," the official said. "So the marine corps battalion disappeared within one night."

Now it is the salvage unit's turn to be put under consideration for deactivation for the sake of the "Chinchin Project," which will begin in 2004 and last three years.

A navy general, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said military leaders have yet to make the final decision on the fate of the unit but that most think the navy can do without it.

"We are evaluating whether it is cost-effective to keep the unit in the service. The unit could better function if merged with the national rescue center," the general said.

"Is it really necessary for the military to keep a rescue force independent of the same mechanism in the central government? It is like double investment on the same thing," he said.

Despite the general's remarks, the unit has contributed to the navy in recent years by participating in search and rescue tasks in the wakes of typhoons, air crashes and shipwrecks.