European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 13, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday october 13, 1994 world the stars and stripes Page 11 Swiss army Geneva apr the worlds last unit of military Carrier pigeons has a Case of severely ruffled feathers. The Swiss army wants to replace the pigeons with Modem communications. But a pro Pigeon group began circulating a petition tuesday against the defense ministry a plans to pension off the unit. If the group gathers the necessary 100,000 signatures a referendum will be held on whether to Anchor the 77-year-old Pigeon service in the Swiss Constitution. V., v a a we Are seeing the same sort  As during the abolition of the Caval in a said a defense ministry spokesman Peter Tanner. The mounted cavalry was scrapped in 1973, but Only after a National uproar. Although Switzerland a 550,000-member Reserve army has not fought a foreign War since 1515, its military traditions Are deep rooted and there is a Strong tendency toward nostalgia both among recruits and the Public. The introduction last year of a seven Speed Mountain Bike to replace an unwieldy 90-year-old Model got a Cool response from the 5,000-member bicycle unit. As part of moves to trim costs in 1990, the government also Cut Back the number of militia mules from 10,600 to 9,400, incurring the Wrath of Farmers who were paid the equivalent of $577 a year to make the animals available. The defense ministry Hopes to save $461,540 a year by abolishing the Carrier Pigeon service and concentrating More on radio and electronic communications. A we Are outraged and feel betrayed. The decision is technically and strategically wrong a said Ulrich Frei the petition organizer. A to get rid of one of the last sym winners for the army is Plain stupid Quot he said adding that his Telephone had been ringing constantly with messages of support. Pigeons can Fly faster than 35 Man. Over Switzerland a mountainous terrain they travel much faster than cars. Among their main missions is to relay messages from reconnaissance missions. A the pigeons Are immune from electronic interference cheap to operate and after proper training can make nighttime and return journeys a said a Swiss army today brochure in 1992. Frei said Pigeon breeders were especially angered at the decision because they had devoted time and Money Over the past two years to training their Birds for difficult nighttime and Alpine Maneu vers As part of moves to improve army efficiency and Cut costs. A news they were scrapping the service was like a Bolt out of the Blue a said Frei president of the Swiss Pigeon breeders association. A nobody had said anything to us about  the government made its announcement late september. The army itself owns 7,000 pigeons. It has another 23,000 Birds owned by private breeders on standby in Case of a National emergency. The government pays $3.80 for each Pigeon it uses. The abolition of the Carrier service Means that 250 soldiers will be trained for other duties and a Carrier Pigeon Sta  the capital Bern will be closed. Defense ministry spokesman Tanner said that As far As he knew the. Swiss army a Carrier Pigeon service was the Only one left in the world. Pigeons were widely used in world wat land world War ii. 3 sure Steps to higher prying 0b skills from Mac cmdr in camb let Howe Skulj to Ambuj pentium technology ready mnds0m Mthm Wightm compact Tou my Iasi  acct Muhm srm mss mrs into  worm cwt von Mamic Mumm tomckt/pfnyourj08, to my scam pm m commit Ohra tons. Send for free information today Call today 06302-92120 r i i l i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i. I i i i i i i i i i l i am interested in earning a certificate in computer operations rank. First name last name housing address City state country. Home phone. Work phone Date entered Active duty a married q single age. Dero Date. Discharge Date. A i would like to use my . Bill mat this Coupon to Mac. 8303 Arlington blvd. Suite 210 Fairfax a 22031 accredited member of the National Horn study Council ism is a registered trademark of International business machines by it i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i a is Wmk off a a a a he. 14, 15, 16 october 1994 at Span Dahlem . Eifel Holiday Bazaar Rhein main . Fall Harvest Bazaar Aviano . Bazaar Italy 13 16 october 94 officers club Ramstein