Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
04/03/2012 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
SJR20 | |
HB205 | |
HB216 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | SJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 205 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 20-RELOCATION OF 18TH F-16 SQUADRON 9:02:19 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the first bill before the committee would be SJR 20, which urges Congress and the Department of Defense to reconsider the transfer of F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base and recognized the strategic importance of the base. Recently, the Air Force announced that it was recommending the relocation of the 18th F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. This would reduce the operational capacity of Eielson, making it vulnerable to potential base closure. SENATOR PASKVAN, as sponsor of SJR 20, shared the reason for the bill. The United States Air Force has recommended the relocation of the 18th F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. He suggested that the transfer of the F-16 would be detrimental to the state of Alaska and have a dramatic impact on the Fairbanks economy, as well as to all of Interior Alaska. It will reduce operational capacities at Eielson, making it vulnerable for future base realignment and closure (BRAC) rounds. He related that the benefits and strategic importance of Eielson Air Force Base, now and into the future, far outweighs any negligible savings by the transfer of the F-16 squadron. Eielson is at the forefront of protecting the United States' interest in the Pacific Theater and serves a critical function in reinforcing the region. It helps to secure important pipeline infrastructure, including the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and also the refineries that are located in interior Alaska. The pipeline provides a significant portion of the nation's energy needs. Eielson has adjacent access to the largest joint air and land training range in the nation. This area's minimal airspace congestion is well suited to perform operations for unmanned vehicles and live-fire exercises. The 21st Century military capabilities are going towards unmanned vehicles. He continued to say that Eielson connects to the largest unrestricted air space in the United States. The base has large fuel storage capacity and has a runway capable of handling the military's largest aircraft year round. Movement of the 18th Aggressor Squadron puts Eielson at risk. The base has served America's needs for decades and because of its location, should continue to serve America's interests. The base has access to unique training grounds, fuel storage, ample housing, and provides critical support for the joint training exercises. He stated that he speaks as a lifelong resident of Alaska and of Fairbanks when he says he understands the significance of Eielson Air Force Base to the communities of Interior Alaska and to America's security interest. During 2005, the last BRAC round, the strategic and economic importance of Eielson was proved. He encouraged members of the committee to support the resolution, which seeks to remind the President and the Air Force that the F-16's should stay at Eielson Air Force Base. 9:06:54 AM SENATOR KOOKESH joined the committee. At-ease from 9:07 a.m. to 9:08 a.m. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI opened public testimony. LUKE HOPKINS, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough, testified in support of SJR 20. He questioned the basis for the proposed savings in the Department of Defense budget because of the movement of the F-16's from Eielson. He noted that Fairbanks was taking steps to work with consultants locally and in Washington, D.C., to determine if there really would be a savings. He spoke of the draft EIS for the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex which shows that Eielson is vital to future training sessions. He requested that the committee support the resolution. 9:10:49 AM DOUG ISSACSON, Mayor, North Pole, testified in support of SJR 20. He agreed with the sponsor and with Mayor Hopkins. He added that Eielson is expanding its mission and is in the middle of adding new housing and new facilities, so it seems odd that a reduction is being considered. He noted support for the military by the surrounding communities. JIM DODSON, President/CEO, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, testified in support of SJR 20. He related his part in past BRAC preventative measures when, in 2005, the BRAC Commission determined that the financial information being used by the Air Force was inaccurate. He maintained that the same thing was happening today. He voiced agreement with the sponsor statement. 9:14:08 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony. SENATOR PASKVAN thanked the testifiers for speaking on the resolution. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report SJR 20, version M, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SJR 20 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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SJR 20 |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20.Eielson's Strategic Importance Overview.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20.Legislative Journal.Impact of F-16 Move from Eielson.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20.Murkowski and Begich Fighting F-16 Move.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR 20.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20 STA Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20 Article.Interior AK Eielson AFB closure. whats really going on.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
SJR20.Eielson AFB Fact Sheet.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 20 |
01 HB 205 (1).pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 |
03 HB 205 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 |
02 HB 205 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 |
04 HB205-DOA-PUR-03-23-11.pdf |
SSTA 4/3/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 |