Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/13/2014 11:00 AM House ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Armed Services Update by Lieutenant General Russell Hand, Major General Michael Shields, and Major General Thomas Katkus | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
Juneau, Alaska
February 13, 2014
11:09 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Dan Saddler, Co-Chair
Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair
Representative Doug Isaacson
Representative Geran Tarr
Senator John Coghill
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Bob Lynn
PUBLIC MEMBERS
Lieutenant General Thomas Case
Brigadier General George Cannelos
Colonel Tim Jones - (retired)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Anna Fairclough
Senator Fred Dyson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Armed Services Update by Lieutenant General Russell Hand, Major
General Michael Shields, and Major General Thomas Katkus
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
LIEUTENANT GENERAL RUSSELL HANDY, Commander
Alaska Command, NORAD Region, 11th Air Force, and Joint Task
Force Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information relevant to the
discussion about supporting the military in Alaska.
MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL H. SHIELDS, Commander
United States Army Alaska (USARAK) - (not including Fort Greely
or the Army Corps of Engineers)
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information relevant to the
discussion about supporting the military in Alaska.
MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS KATKIS, Adjutant General
Alaska National Guard
Commissioner
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information relevant to the
discussion about supporting the military in Alaska.
ACTION NARRATIVE
11:09:08 AM
CO-CHAIR DAN SADDLER called the Joint Armed Services Committee
meeting to order at 11:09 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Coghill, Wielechowski, and Co-Chair Kelly; and
Representatives Isaacson, Tarr, and Co-Chair Saddler.
Representative Feige joined the committee shortly after.
^Armed Services Update by Lieutenant General Russell Hand, Major
General Michael Shields, and Major General Thomas Katkus
Armed Services Update by Lieutenant General Russell Hand,
Major General Michael Shields, and Major General Thomas Katkus
CO-CHAIR SADDLER said that the Armed Services Committee was
established in the 1990s and its mission is to monitor and
address potential realignments of military facilities in the
state, to advocate for the missile defense system, to seek out
ways to attract new missions to Alaska bases, and to support
increased joint military training in Alaska's facilities. The
mission is especially important as the nation faces tremendous
budget pressures. Alaska's military services and agencies are
essential to the national defense, our joint training and
preparedness, our force projection, the safety of our people and
the state's economy.
He said the committee would get an update from three of Alaska's
military leaders: Lieutenant General Russell Handy, Commander of
the Alaskan Air Command (and others), Major General Michael
Shields, General of the U.S. Army Alaska, and Deputy Commander
of the United States Alaska Command, and Major General Thomas
Katkus, Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs.
11:12:13 AM
LIEUTENANT GENERAL RUSSELL HANDY, Commander, Alaska Command,
NORAD Region, 11th Air Force, and Joint Task Force Alaska, said
the quality of our military force has never been better. He
introduced Nick "Anchor" Glofthouse, a very accomplished F-22
pilot, the best of his generation. He is a fine example of the
people who are serving. He added that not many people are able
to fly an F-22 and that he had left his in-laws with his wife
and two new babies to come to this meeting.
He said he wanted to update them on what happened in the last
year and then what they have to look forward to in the near
future. Briefly, he said Alaska military personnel and families
make up about 25 percent of the state's population.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said his is the one headquarters for four
commands. The 11th Air Force hat involves administrative command
management of the five Air Force wings, about 11,500 people in
Alaska, Hawaii and Guam, primarily.
He said the Alaska NORAD Region covers national air space
defense and that he had just returned from a Colorado Springs
conference with NORAD leadership in which the NORAD plans were
reviewed. But he said he was going to focus on the Air Force
piece and the overarching Alaskan Command, Joint Task Force
Alaska. He would let the others talk about their individual
components.
11:16:55 AM
He explained that they work for a few different bosses. From a
combat and commander perspective, they really work for several
different bosses: USPACOM Commander Locklear for the rebalance
to the Pacific, the USNORTHCOM Commander Jacoby (also North
American Airspace Defense Command).
Men and women are deployed all over the globe: F22s and E3s are
in the Mid-East right now and have had a rotational presence
through last year and will be there through the fall. They were
very much a part of the humanitarian relief for the operation in
the Philippines. About 1350 military are deployed and that
number has been fairly stable; it could come down a little, but
not a lot.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said the Air Force component underwent a
reorganization last year so that all of the wings at the three
corners of the strategic triangle now work for the 11th Air
Force Commander in Alaska.
He said it was a very interesting year. Men and women were told
to continue to execute as if they had a budget and then with
seven months remaining they had to get 12 months of savings. It
was traumatic. A number of aircraft were grounded to make up
those numbers, but it didn't offset sequestrations totally. So
the Air Force operations and maintenance funding was reduced by
$654 million. Drastic measures had to be taken. Flying hours
were reduced and scores of fighters and bomber squadrons across
the U.S. were grounded including the US Air Force Thunderbirds
and stopped flying at the US Air Force Weapons School, the "seed
corn" of our top end tactical capability that can't be done
again. Northern Edge 13 and Red Flag 13 were also lost.
LT. GENERAL HANDY remarked that they lost faith with their
civilians in furloughing 5,100 of them in Alaska, when it used
to be viewed as "pretty secure" employment. So, some repair work
has to be done there. They got to the two, three, or four star
general level of reviewing individual trips at the budget level,
because of the lack of funds. Now the budget is stable even if
it isn't the one they want.
11:20:17 AM
He reported organizational change within the 11th Air Force
units: the 611 Air Support Group (ASG) that runs contracts and
maintains things like the Northern Warning System and Wake
Island and work contracts was renamed to the PACAF Regional
Support Center. The organization looks exactly like it did;
numbers were not reduced. It was really a re-designation based
on some Air Force administrative rules about how large an
organization has to be to be a "group." Now their names are more
appropriate as they support a number of facilities all over the
Pacific, not just in the 11th Air Force area.
The Air Force shifted corporately in the way they manage
environmental restoration accounts, and that would probably be
an advantage because the Air Force Civil Engineering Center
(AFCEC) has more corporate expertise on how they manage accounts
of this nature. Their Pacific Regional Support Center will still
be very involved at the local level.
In 2013 the 210th Rescue Squadron made 121 saves, up by about 50
percent from 2012; not good for the people who had to be rescued
but it highlights their critical importance.
11:22:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN joined the committee.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said that the 3rd Wing's C-17s were very busy
with Operation DAMAYAN in 2013 with 52 sorties, about 2 million
pounds of aid and as many passengers as he has seen. They
supported three POTUS/VPOTUS trips through the Pacific and about
9,000 USARAK jumpers.
The 3rd Wing's F-22s are now the most capable raptors in the US
Air Force. A new modification called "Increment 3.1" gives them
the unique ability to do synthetic aperture radar mapping and
drop small-diameter bombs, the newest ordinance on that
aircraft. That is why they are wanted in the Mid-East.
The automatic backup oxygen system modification was finished,
which was the final risk mitigation resulting from their
mishaps, and that modification will work its way through the
whole Air Force.
They supported CENTCOM Theatre Security Packages (TSP) - a term
used to be able to get a finite amount of assets deployed
somewhere for a period of time to represent presence in a
theatre - as well as deploying throughout the Pacific for
various training and strategic messaging purposes. The "Rapid
Raptor" is in the proof-of-concept phase, which fits into the
PACOM Commander's expeditionary strategy for the Pacific. It was
drawn out on a napkin on a briefing room table by a bunch of
reservists and active duty pilots who felt they were a little
too dependent on fixed facilities and big airfields and way too
much stuff. They felt they wanted to be able to pick up their
unit on very short notice and rapidly deploy from another
location. Put simply, it's the ability to take a small number of
F-22s fully loaded, push forward to somewhere and have the
potential to employ from that sortie and land at an
expeditionary airfield (very short amount of concrete with no
support). A C-17 lands behind it with everything on board it
needs to take care of those aircraft, such as fuel and weapons
that are already assembled on trailers, and very rapidly turn
those aircraft and then take off on another mission. Local proof
of concept was done and will be integrated with a full wing
exercise at JBER last week. It was highly successful.
11:26:20 AM
He said the 673rd Air Base Wing continues to set the example for
joint basing across the country and 85 percent of their
performance metrics have been met.
On JBER, General Major Thomas Katkus welcomed US Coast Guard
Sector Anchorage into his headquarters building. It brings them
in from downtown and links them in operationally with everything
else that is going on. The center is about four times the size
of the one they had and very well equipped.
JBER will have an open house this year with an air show on July
26th and 27th. It's the only place outside of the Lower 48 the
Thunderbirds are going, which instantly makes it attractive to
many other performers. It will probably have around a quarter
million people and partner with the Alaska Air Show Association
and others. Air shows have very strict funding limits this year,
but they feel it is still a critically important thing to do.
Eielson Air Force Base has transformed the way it does
operational inspections; it was the first one in the Pacific to
do a consolidated unit inspection. The big difference is it puts
much more of a burden on the wing commander to structure the
inspection over what he needs to be ready to do. Each wing is a
little different and the wing commander knows better than anyone
what those differences are. So, instead of an inspector general
developing the scenario independently and bringing it to them,
the wing commander is very involved in what the inspection looks
like with good quality control by the inspector general. They
got an "excellent" on the first one with many identified
strengths.
LT. GENERAL HANDY reported that the Aggressors are back flying
and were able to participate in the Red Flag; the team went on
to Australia to push our partnership with that ally.
Not based in Alaska, but commanded by Mark Kelley is the air
support operations groups at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It would
take about a half hour to list the medals for heroism that they
have won. They have been in Afghanistan continuously supporting
folks on the ground: 5,000 missions and 9,000 troop and contact,
and almost 2,000 targets serviced.
A few miscellaneous issues are that the Air Force has formally
announced the F-16s aren't moving, which gives stability for
their installation. They will start hearing soon about candidate
bases for the F-35 and feel that Eielson will compete favorably
in that regard. There will be an initial site survey team and
ongoing discussions about the potential for Gray Eagle RPV
basing. Funding was awarded to their dormitory project and the
old dorm will probably be demolished in April.
The Eielson power plant is a strategic asset that is watched
closely and continually improved.
11:30:51 AM
LT. GENERAL HANDY said he thought they would hear something
later this month on the candidate bases for the F-35, but that
is just a first step. By spring the preferred and reasonable
alternatives should be put forward and then the environmental
process starts. He expected that Eielson will be a candidate.
He said that Alaska remains the "center of gravity" for the
ballistic missile defense system for North America and that Ft.
Greely is an amazing facility. The Missile Field 2 construction
has been completed. Many other things are going on across the
missile defense enterprise and includes a new radar, but where
it will go is not known yet.
The Air Force Base Command Headquarters did a heat and power
plant analysis in Colorado Springs, and recommended to shut it
down and hook the electrical portion of it into downtown power.
That has been put on hold for a Government Accounting Office
(GAO) study to be completed.
11:32:56 AM
The F-22s in the ABOS system have returned to fully mission-
capable status. This is good, because they continue to respond
to Russian activity in the Arctic and with their long range
aviation. In the process of that, they are also inspected quite
often from NORAD on their Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) mission
and response to threat-types of missions and "hit it out of the
park" with 13 superior performers and 60 identified strengths on
that evaluation.
In a demonstration of their commitment to never leave an airman
behind, their recovery operations continued up on Colony
Glacier, as a result of the 1952 crash that was recently
identified. That debris field is evolving as that glacier moves.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said they also continue to find unexploded
ordinance all over the state including the Aleutians; nine in
2013 that are mostly WWII munitions along shorelines. He was
also a part of the Alaska Forum on the Environment when it was
in Anchorage. It talked a lot about the WWII cleanup sites that
are progressing very well. Their relationship is not adversarial
as it has been in the past; instead they are talking about how
to work together in the future on not harming the environment.
From an exercise perspective, 2013 was challenging because of
the five major exercises scheduled, three were cancelled due to
budgetary limitations. Northern Edge and two Red Flags were
lost. So, only one Red Flag was flown after sequestration. This
is when the Korean Air Force and the Japanese Self Defense Force
flew for the first time together in an exercise and showed great
willingness to work together despite a long history of friction
between the two countries. A lot of units from the western
Pacific couldn't make it because even though they came off the
grounding there weren't enough flying hours in the budget to
come to Alaska. Some F-22s, some Marine Corps Air, and some Air
Force Reserve and Guard played, and the two major active duty
units were the Koreans and the Japanese. It was the most
important exercise to keep going.
11:36:56 AM
hey also flew Vigilant Eagle and Vigilant Shield, responding to
a catastrophe working together at the local, state, and federal
levels. Vigilant Eagle is an exercise with the Russians, and one
of the only things we partner with them in the air domain on. It
exercises the ability to share information in responding to the
potential for a hijacked aircraft coming across our boundaries
so it can be intercepted effectively.
He said 2014 will be a big year for Alaska military exercises.
The Army has amazing things on the calendar. For him, it begins
with their major exercise in March. It is centered around a
complex catastrophe similar to the 1964 Earthquake. A lot of
local, state, and federal agencies tried to fuse their training
objectives together to effect the exercise while "not stepping
all over each other." It involves a quarter of a million people
and is going very well. From a Department of Defense (DOD)
perspective, Alaska is not close enough to another state to
share their training and services for executing a coordinated
Title 10 and 32 response to a catastrophe of this level.
LT. GENERAL HANDY related that in 2014 they will execute four
Red Flags on the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC). One
of the most important risks we bought by cancelling the Red
Flags in 2013 had to do with our international partnerships. We
had committed to doing exercises with our international partners
and some of them had gone to great lengths and cashed in great
green stamps with their governments, and then the U.S. pulled
out of those exercises at the last minute. That cost them quite
a bit and so, they told General Welsh they could plan for just
about anything but they need to know and need stability on that.
He committed to that week and has funded all of them. So, six
Red Flags are happening in the fiscal year: three on the Nevada
Test and Training Range and three in JPARC. FY15 has four Red
Flags scheduled. There are a lot of new customers from the Asia
Pacific and Europe and he anticipated the international
partnership aspect of the JPARC grow.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER asked if that would include India.
11:42:37 AM
LT. GENERAL HANDY answered yes. He added that large range bases
are needed with the right kind of threat replication, and JPARC
has that. It also offers the international partners an easier
and more economic place to get to than Nellis Air Force Base [in
Nevada]. India has committed to push for an alternating
construct for the Red Flags between Nellis and JPARC.
He reiterated that 2015 will be a great year, because the budget
is stable and the flying hour program is funded for the Northern
Edge, the high-end exercise where international participation is
restricted because of the level of classification that comes
with high fidelity electronic attacks and other things. It is
not limited to JPARC but goes out into the Gulf of Alaska where
it has a large naval presence. Northern Edge 2015 should have
somewhere around 10,000 participants.
He said that JPARC continues to be a centerpiece of their joint
and international partner training. In 2013 the Air Force
published a record of decision, which completed the
environmental analysis they had been doing to expand the range
in a couple of key areas. That starts the work, and they are now
in the process of socializing that record across the general
aviation community and the FAA and the Fish and Wildlife
Service, which recommended an unfunded bird study to operate at
the altitude regime.
11:45:11 AM
LT. GENERAL HANDY switched to the subject of the Arctic. People
in Washington, D.C. are very excited about it. Prior to a couple
of months ago, everyone was excited about it, but weren't sure
exactly what they were excited about. Now there is a strategy: a
Presidential strategy, a DOD strategy, and an implementation
plan for the President's strategy. These are broad strategic-
level pieces of guidance, but now a focused combat and command
analysis on the Arctic is the number one priority.
He said the DOD strategy was very broad, but what got his
attention was that in the short term the Secretary is
comfortable with the level of the existing infrastructure in the
state for the Arctic. But in the longer term more fidelity is
needed on what the requirements will be. They don't see a threat
coming out of the Arctic right now, but the Russian military is
up there and as the activity up there increases the DOD needs to
look hard at what our presence needs to be to support that
activity.
At the Joint Task Force level, their "campaign plan" was divided
up into four lines of operation, and the Arctic is one of them.
It could go in a couple of directions - as both defense and
defense support to civil authorities: things like energy
production and distribution in the Arctic. Communications are
also very challenged up there; a high frequency antenna in the
Barrow area would enhance their communications ability on the
North Slope in a huge way (another unfunded requirement).
He explained that the Energy Executive Steering Group was formed
to uncover energy strategies. All of the bases consume a large
amount of energy and they all have what he called a "homemade
wooden shoe" for production and distribution of it. Some are
very efficient, like the plant at JBER, and others are very
challenging, like the one at Eielson. The President's Arctic
Implementation Plan tasks the Department of Energy to look at
renewable energy, and he wanted them to help with a holistic
study of energy within the state. The Department of Energy has
given them some very low level head nods, but they are looking
at things like sustainment packages to put in the Arctic to be
able to help survivors while executing a recovery operation. He
said they are often the only ones to respond in a search and
rescue environment because of their unique capabilities. As more
activity is seen in the Arctic, either on the North Slope or in
the waters, the capacity to respond is being assessed.
11:51:17 AM
In the laundry list of other activities going on in his command
is their partnership with UAF, which has become particularly
powerful. President Gamble and Steve Hogue, Lt. General Handy's
predecessor, signed an MOU that commits to an enduring DOD
(ALCOM) and University of Alaska partnership on Arctic issues.
After a visit to the University he was impressed with their
Arctic capabilities and knowledge, and enthusiasm. One of the
areas of partnering is in the area of Arctic Domain Security
Orientation, a small scale course they put together for him. It
was focused initially on teaching new members of his staff and
new members of the NORTHCOM staff in Colorado about the Arctic,
but that project is expanding. It is another unfunded
requirement and they are looking for ways of sustaining that in
the future.
In order to develop better Arctic understanding, they host a
monthly speaker series on the Arctic and invite a number of
experts, other Arctic stakeholders, state and local governments,
Alaska Natives, and other leaders. He said the DOD has a habit
of examining something sometimes in isolation when sometimes
there is a lot of good activity going on at the state, local and
corporate levels that can provide solutions and learning;
everyone can learn from each other.
11:54:18 AM
LT. GENERAL HANDY stated that he remains cautiously optimistic
for the next two years about the stability of their budget; it's
half the battle. Force structure is stable; the Army will draw
down in a couple of areas and the Air Force is fairly stable.
Increases will be seen at JBER and 381st Intel Squadron, which
will become a group in the next year, adding to their airmen for
intelligence missions. Some military construction is still
ongoing: Ft. Greely got approval for its Missile Field 1
Building and is cleared for the radar upgrade and there are a
couple of projects at Ft. Wainwright, in addition to the dorm at
Eielson (FY12) he mentioned earlier.
LT. GENERAL HANDY concluded by saying that while chairing the
steering group at the Alaska Forum on the Environment he
realized that, "It doesn't get any better than Alaska." When he
goes to the table with any community leaders or the legislature
and talk about JPARC expansion and whether or not F-35s could
potentially come to Alaska some day and what sort of activity
the F-22s need to do, how many soldiers need to be dropped on
the range or firing artillery, in some states the first word out
of their mouths may be it would cause a lot of issues with the
community or a lot of noise is involved in that, in Alaska he
gets, "Okay, how do we make that happen?" They understand the
importance of working together with the DOD.
12:00:00 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLY asked about Red Flag and the incident between the
Korean and Japanese pilots.
LT. GENERAL HANDY replied that it was an example of "historic
baggage"; however, by the end of the exercise the pilots were
working together. He added that they were also very interested
in debriefing and criticizing their performances as a means for
improvement.
CO-CHAIR KELLY inquired about a need for a hanger in Barrow for
the defense of the Arctic.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said that is not known yet. He said he asked
the Combatant Commander of NORTHCOM to generate the request.
CO-CHAIR KELLY commented that if the need is identified, the
legislature can include it in the capital budget.
LT. GENERAL HANDY agreed, especially for things like improving
mobility and communications, which could be used in partnerships
with the state.
CO-CHAIR KELLY discussed working with the Department of Defense.
He urged Lt. General Handy to provide a list of strategic needs.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said he appreciates that offer and he
commented on politically driven decisions.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON noted the existence of the Arctic Policy
Commission and suggested Lt. General Handy invite the Co-Chairs,
Representative Herron and Senator McGuire to speak.
He drew attention to the Russian build up on islands across from
Diomede and estimates of up to 250,000 people there. He said
shipping is a big concern, as well as the lack of icebreakers.
He inquired if the Russian issues are being monitored.
LT. GENERAL HANDY stated that they are monitoring the Russian
situation. He opined that the Russians are acting in support of
economic, or potentially economic opportunities in the Arctic.
The Russians are more apt to use their military to facilitate
economic development, whereas, the United States would not.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON supposed that the appearance of missiles
would be cause for attention.
LT. GENERAL HANDY agreed.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON asked about initiatives that include
UAS's participation. He wondered if Lt. General Handy viewed
state expenditures at a university center as a regional
expenditure or as a statewide or national benefit.
LT. GENERAL HANDY replied that it is at a least statewide
benefit, but also a national benefit. There have not been any
large expenditures to date. The university is the expert on
Arctic issues.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON asked if the Thunderbirds could make an
appearance at Eielson.
LT. GENERAL HANDY didn't know, but offered to find out.
12:11:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE inquired about additional opportunities for
civil/military cooperation, noting he represents the district
that includes Fort Greely. He requested support to establish
scheduled air service out of the army airfield. He thought it
would be a win for the military as well as for the civilian
population.
LT. GENERAL HANDY said he has recently had a conversation with
General Shields about that issue. He noted he did not have the
command authority to make it happen, but he offered to speak to
those who could.
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE he asked for assistance in seeking the
right person to talk to when he goes to Washington, D.C. in
March.
LT. GENERAL HANDY agreed to help.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR recalled a visit to Eielson and learning
about the competitive nature of relocation of the F-16's. She
said she also toured the power plant and discussed capital
upgrade needs. She inquired about legislative opportunities to
be a part of the capital upgrades and site selections.
LT.GENERAL HANDY said he would love to find a way to partner
with the legislature. He noted that is why he wanted to involve
DOE involved.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER asked about China's military capabilities and
how that may affect Alaska's planning for Pacific security.
LT. GENERAL HANDY related his previous job history in Hawaii
developing strategies. He maintained that no one wants a
conflict in the Pacific. There are differing views on how
sovereignty is defined. He stressed that the partnership with
China needs to be maintained. Issues with China will affect
Alaska's military. He stressed the emphasis on partnerships with
other countries in today's military.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER thanked Lt. General Handy for his presentation.
12:20:15 PM
CO-CHAIR SADDLER invited Major General Mike Shields to give his
presentation.
MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL H. SHIELDS, Commander, United States Army
Alaska (USARAK), (not including Fort Greely or the Army Corps of
Engineers), Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska said
that USARAK includes approximately 12,000 outstanding men and
women. Half of the force is on JBER, on the Fort Richardson side
with the Airborne Brigade, Engineer Brigade, and NCO Academy.
The Stryker Brigade and the Aviation Task Force are up north at
Fort Wainwright, along with the Cold Weather Mountaineering
Facility out at Black Rapids.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS said it was an exciting time to be in
USARAK, transitioning from over 13 years with a focus on counter
insurgency with back-to-back deployments of maneuver forces.
There are currently soldiers in "harm's way" with the intention
of sending more. The focus is now turning to decisive operations
in support of the Pacific Commander on mission-essential tasks,
as well as to getting back to core competencies of being able to
operate at high altitude, in extreme cold weather, and in
mountainous terrain. He described a photo of a soldier in a cold
weather situation and noted the need for new technology and
equipment.
12:23:22 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS related the charge to train forces to be
more flexible with tailored rapid response and under austere
environments. He gave an example of an operation in Australia
where the airborne task force flew approximately 17 hours, an
incredible demonstration of strategic reach. He stressed the
importance of maintaining proficiency in extreme cold weather
and becoming the premier cold weather mountaineering capability
in the Pacific. The Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC) is
taking on a larger training role in Black Rapids. Foreign
partners such as Thailand, Nepal, and Japan are coming to Alaska
to train.
He stressed the focus on leader development, especially junior
leaders. The goal is "competent, committed leaders with
character." Training is done through unit training as well as
through the Warrior leader course at JBER. There is heavy
investment in expanding leader development.
12:26:48 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS described how USARPAC provides training-
ready forces in support of USPACOM. He detailed the command
relationships under ADCON and OPCON, including ALCOM and JTF-AK.
He explained his responsibilities in times of natural disasters
and in exercises in Alaska. He added that the pivot to the
Pacific is relatively new. Training and readiness is provided by
the Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), as well as with others,
such as the Second Division in Korea.
He discussed the rapid response forces for both combatant
commands - JBER and Fort Wainwright. There is an emergency
deployment readiness exercise program in place.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS related how the force structure is
organized under JBER and Fort Wainwright. He noted that two
units are getting ready to deploy overseas to Korea and to
Afghanistan. This is an example of how USARAK supports combat
commands.
He mentioned two key priorities. One is to modernize the NCO
Academy and second is to expand the capacity of the Northern
Warfare Training Center.
12:32:41 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS showed a slide that depicts USARAK's
ability to project combat power into the Pacific and its
partners, which include India, Mongolia, Nepal, Japan, Korea,
Canada, Russia, and Italy. He described how cold weather
equipment is tested as it relates to the Pacific command. A
priority is to modernize the fleet in the Arctic Region.
He related information about CENTCOM, the support in
Afghanistan. Soldiers are currently stationed there and more are
being deployed from the Engineer Brigade and from the Aviation
Task Force. There are partnerships with brigades from various
countries.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER inquired what CRF means.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS said it means Contingency Response Force.
He noted the Strykers typically partner with a heavier force. He
concluded that it was an exciting time to be in USARAK with the
shift to the Pacific and its responsibilities under USAPAC and
PACOM.
12:36:38 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS described a number of exercises that
USARAK would be participating in, such as COBRA GOLD in
Thailand, YUDH ABHYAS in India, and combat training centers -
the National Training Center and the Joint Training Center.
SPARTAN PEGUSUS is an extreme cold weather Artic jump in
Deadhorse, AK. He noted that COBRA GOLD to Thailand involved a
19-hour flight to and from Alaska. He said it was a great
example of "tailorable, flexible, scaleable."
12:39:29 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS turned to Arctic initiatives with a goal
to get one company per maneuver battalion trained to become
experts in Arctic mobility. Another goal is to work with
partners in other countries on Arctic training. He noted that
USARAK recently held a USARPAC Cold Regions Equipment Symposium
with 70 different organizations present. USARAK plans to partner
with the Department of Defense and academic institutions for
support, resources, and equipment.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS highlighted the Ready and Resilient
Campaign (R2C), a part of a larger, broader Army campaign that
is on-going. He said USARAK is committed to R2C and appreciates
community support, such as the Sexual Harassment and Assault
Response Program (SHARP) and programs from the university
system. He stressed that it is a focus of the commands.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS related news about Fort Wainwright. He
said the ROD has been signed for Taku Gardens housing units,
noting the housing shortage on base. He described other MILCON
projects.
12:43:57 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS discussed the USARAK School Partnership
Program. He said there were over 4,000 hours of volunteer time
spent in the program. Support varied from anti-bullying
presentations to mentoring sports teams, and team building.
He listed Army structure changes. The active Army will reduce by
80,000 between 2013 and 2017. By the end of the force
restructure, Fort Wainwright will add 360 soldiers for a total
of 6,000. JBER will lose 800 soldiers for a total of 4,500.
There will be a need to look at housing and support for families
at Fort Wainwright. There also will be a staff reduction at
USARAK which will impact range operations.
12:47:04 PM
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS highlighted examples of awards and honors
awarded to USARAK soldiers. The 2013 Soldier of the Year from
the whole Army was from Alaska. The NCO won the USARPAC NCO of
the Year. He emphasized that USARAK has great soldiers and great
leaders.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS restated General Handy's quote, "I remain
cautiously optimistic," as it applies to USARAK's budget
outlook. The goal is to prioritize needs and research what
others are using for equipment.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS closed with the statement that USARAK is
ready and relevant and deployed across the Pacific and the
CENTCOM AOR, and is incredibly proud of its relationship with
the state. He agreed with General Handy about the incredible
support USARAK receives in Fairbanks and in Anchorage.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER asked if the committee had any questions.
SENATOR COGHILL inquired whether there were issues the community
should be more aware of when there is a change of command.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS said he had experienced a change of
command. He noted an improvement in how the reception is done.
He said the community outreach is very good for when soldiers
return. Brigade commanders need to work on improving the loss of
continuity when there is a change in command. The next
deployment will take place at the time of reduction and will
require additional attention.
He stressed the importance of the Unit Sponsorship Program to
identify the incoming team, as well as the outgoing team.
12:53:45 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLY thanked the presenters
SENATOR COGHILL requested that the presenters inform the
communities regarding any issues related to command change.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS voiced appreciation and offered to reach
out to the communities.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER noted that the committee attended the
Paratrooper presentation at JBER which was very informative. He
expressed regret at the reduction in force at JBER. He
appreciated the decisions made based on national security.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR inquired whether the 800 soldiers who will
be leaving JBER, were living on base or in Anchorage.
MAJOR GENERAL SHIELDS offered to find out.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER thanked Major General Shields for the
presentation. He introduced Major General Katkis.
12:56:19 PM
MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS KATKIS, Adjutant General, Alaska National
Guard, Commissioner, Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs, Chugiak, Alaska commented that the Alaska National
Guard is "ready and relevant," as mentioned by Major General
Shields in a reference to USARAK. He said all of the Guard fits
into a mission that is either under the ALCOM Commander and/or
the USARAK Commander. There are over 4,000 men and women in the
Guard, between the Air and the Army.
He continued to explain that the big discussion is between the
operational reserve - those who have combat experience - and the
strategic reserve. The operational force was visited by General
Frank Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to commemorate
a national heritage print honoring the Alaska Air Guardsmen who
supported rescue efforts in 2010. General Grass came away with a
true concept of operational force, remarking that he had never
seen another National Guard unit as well integrated into a
mission as the one he saw in Alaska.
MAJOR GENERAL KATKIS reported on the status of the Army National
Guard. It is authorized for 1,907 members and is currently at
1,899. New equipment is coming on board and there are several
structural changes, but overall, nothing significant is
changing. Current missions are in Afghanistan with three
personnel and in Guantanamo Bay with 82 personnel who report a
positive experience. "A" Company Aviators recently returned from
Kuwait.
He noted the Air National Guard are world-wide deployable and
are at 89 percent of their authorized numbers. He reported a
loss of three aircraft to budget cuts.
1:00:58 PM
MAJOR GENERAL KATKIS discussed the deployments of the Air
National Guard, which are "heavier" than the deployments of the
Army National Guard due to expertise in combat search and
rescue. He noted that the Rescue Coordination Center has
completed 5,000 missions and 2,000 saves in 20 years.
CO-CHAIR COGHILL expressed gratitude for the Guard's efforts in
disaster relief.
MAJOR GENERAL KATKIS commented that it was rewarding for the
members who participated, especially in the Galena area.
CO-CHAIR COGHILL requested more information about community
efforts related to deployment.
MAJOR GENERAL KATKIS replied that the National Guard responds to
family needs and addresses employment needs. He emphasized that
community support in Alaska is exceptional.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER asked for information on recruitment and
retention efforts statewide.
MAJOR GENERAL KATKIS said challenges are constant due to the
small percentage that qualify for military service. It is a very
competitive market for a very small population. Access is also a
challenge in rural Alaska regarding recruitment. He said he
strives to overcome the obstacles to recruitment and often uses
support of the local law enforcement to help recruit and mentor.
The Yellow Ribbon Program reaches out to recruit veterans.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER inquired about the state's role as a strategic
partner to Mongolia.
MAJOR GENERAL KATKIS said he plans to go to Mongolia in two
weeks. The Guard continues to send troops over for exercises,
especially for cold weather training. The National Guard Bureau
has strong support for state partnership programs. Alaska's
partnership with Mongolia is identified as a model program.
CO-CHAIR SADDLER summarized that the Joint Armed Services
Committee is a tremendous platform for Alaskans. The meetings
help legislators to advocate for Alaska's military bases.
1:07:24 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Saddler adjourned the Joint Armed Services Committee at
1:07 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 JASC Lt Gen Handy Presentation.pptx |
JASC 2/13/2014 11:00:00 AM |
|
| MGen Katkus Guard JASC slides 2014 2.0.pptx |
JASC 2/13/2014 11:00:00 AM |
|
| Maj Gen Handy Bio.pdf |
JASC 2/13/2014 11:00:00 AM |
|
| MG Shields Bio.pdf |
JASC 2/13/2014 11:00:00 AM |
|
| Maj Gen Katkus BIO.pdf |
JASC 2/13/2014 11:00:00 AM |