Norman D. Dicks: “as a conferee representing the Intelligence Committee on this legislation, I want to note particularly the resolution of…”

“as a conferee representing the Intelligence Committee on this legislation, I want to note particularly the resolution of an issue affecting the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office, or DARO. The Intelligence Committee originally voted to terminate this office and transfer some of its functions to the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. This recommendation was controversial in the Committee--I for one did not support it--but it was endorsed by the House National Security Committee and was likewise reflected in the House defense appropriations bill. The Senate took no action against DARO. I am pleased that this conference report does not include the DARO termination recommended by the House. The conference agreement compels no change in DARO nor will it require that DARO cease the exercise of its critical responsibilities for strong oversight of airborne reconnaissance. The conference report does clarify that DARO's role does not include program management or budget execution. It should be understood clearly that this provision does not alter DARO's current role or responsibilities since, Department of Defense officials have stressed, DARO has not, does not, and will not manage programs. Instead, all airborne reconnaissance programs are executed by the military services or by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The conference report provides for a review of DARO by the ongoing Defense Reform Task Force, which I support.”