From the S&S archives: Cheney visits training area near Frankfurt

BUTZBACH, West Germany — Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney was treated to a lightning-paced troop visit at a U.S. training area outside Frankfurt Thursday that included a close-up look at the Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Soldiers assigned to the 5th Cav Regt in nearby Kirch-Göns had a meager 48 hours to prepare for the visit, including digging four track-sized defensive positions and communication trenches.

"We got alerted Tuesday that he would be coming today," said Sgt. 1st Class Frederick A. Wright of Co D, 5th Bn.

Minutes before Cheney's 12:30 p.m. arrival at the training area, Wright's crew was still busy tying up loose ends and applying last minute spit and polish.

"We're still preparing the position. We could camouflage the vehicle more," Wright said from the back of his Bradley Fighting Vehicle, before putting on his helmet and climbing into his seat.

Cheney, clad in cowboy boots and a blue suit, toured three other defensive positions in the area before stepping up on Wright's vehicle to shake hands with the crew. The secretary wore a 5th Cav Regt crest on his lapel.

Pfc. Scott S. Heineman, the Bradley's driver and a native of Snowflake, Ariz., never stopped grinning during Cheney's short visit.

"I have a bunch of friends who will never meet the secretary of defense. A lot of people in the Army will never get this kind of chance," Heineman said.

Second Lt. Curtis Carney, a platoon leader, walked with Cheney and explained the layout of the defensive positions his unit had devoted their advance time to preparing.

"I rehearsed what 1 was going to say twice before he got here," Carney said.

When someone noted that the lieutenant seemed very composed while giving the 15-minute briefing, he sighed and said, "Inwardly, I was not as relaxed as I appeared."

Earlier in the day, Cheney made a brief visit to RAF Mildenhall, England, where he met with USAFE air crews and the 3rd Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Marcus Anderson. Cheney flew to the base from London following meetings with British Defense Minister Tom King.

In a hangar on the south side of the base, Cheney walked among planes and chatted with pilots, who took turns telling the secretary about their missions and roles in Europe.

Capt. Garry Baccus, who pilots a TR-1 spy plane from RAF Alconbury, said Cheney was particularly interested in the way a high-flying TR-1 pilot eats while wearing his special spacesuit. Cheney looked over the display next to the plane, of one of the suits and several of the food-filled tubes.

"He was interested in the tube feeding," the pilot from Fort Worth, Texas, said. "I told him I recommended the peaches and applesauce."

Cheney was to meet with West German Defense Minister Gerhard Stoltenberg on Friday before traveling to West Berlin. His European trip was to include a visit with U.S. sailors in the Mediterranean on Sunday and meetings with Italian officials.

Contributing to this report staff writer Dave Diehl in England.