European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 27, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday june 27, 1887 the stars and stripes Roundup Active duty strength above year ago Levels Washington a the Active duly strength of the nation s military services declined in May from the previous month but remained slight 1 above the level reported a year ago to Pentagon said. As of May 31, the army Navy Marine Cor Sand air Force had 2,152,669 men and women on Active duly Down 5,493 from april 30. The combined total remained above the year ago tally though. The armed service reported dive duty strength of 2,143,955 on May 31,1986, or 8,714 below the 1987 level. To ii not unusual for military strength to swing up and Down on a monthly Basil during the year primarily because of differences in the flow of new recruit. Recent total also have been affected by various Early discharge offers by the services to Deal with budget cuts. And four service reported a monthly decline i strength. The army ended May with 770,292 men and women on Active duty Down 2,646from april. The Navy said in had 580,921 people on Active duty u of May 31, Down 1,676 from april the air Force reported 603,395 on Active duty,1,125 Lea than april. And the Marine corps finished the month with 198,061 personnel Down 46. Sex officer from Neucom to head . Coal group Washington is retired air Force Gen. Richard l. Lawson Deputy commander of the . European come from 1983 to 1986,will become president of the National Coal As Kex Gabon july 1. Mon 57, will replace Carl e Bagge who i retiring As the association s president after 17 Jim. Dick Lawson brags to the inca 40 Yean of top level management experience association chairman . Brown said in a written statement the group is the principal Trade association tabbing group for the Coal Industry represent ing about 70 percent of a the Coal  in the country. Of general nominated for Central come Post Washington a president read anew nominated air Force maj Gen. Hansford to Johnson for promotion to lieutenant general an assignment As Deputy commander of the . Central come. Johnson 51. A native of Aitken. S.c., is Vic commander or the Pacific air forces. If con firmed by the Senate he would replace air Force maj. Gen. Davis c Rohr who it retiring on july i the Central come with Headquarters at Mac Din fab. Flu., ii responsible for All . Forces assigned to the Middle Easl including naval forces deployed in the persian Gulf. In is commanded by Marine Gen. George Crist maj. Gen. Holmes to take Over Post at shape shape Belgium air Force maj.  d. Holmes will assume duties As Force commander nato airborne Early warning Force Al shape near Mons Belgium officials announced Friday. Air Force maj. Gen. Thomas r. Olson Wil become chief of staff 4r,h Allied tac air Force in Heidelberg replacing Holmes. Holmes will assume command sept. 24. Hewill replace maj. Cen. Klaus w. Rimmed who after three years As Force commander wiil be come commander of the 3rd air div in Ger Many. Dod banking contracts under fire from panel by William j. Bartma Washington Butan Washington a congressional panel is criticizing Pentagon banking contracts that made