Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/26/2004 09:09 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 26, 2004
9:09 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, Chair
Representative Jim Holm, Vice Chair
Representative John Coghill
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Paul Seaton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
Representative Max Gruenberg
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
^OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
TAPES
04-48, SIDE(S) A
CHAIR BRUCE WEYHRAUCH convened the meeting of the House State
Affairs Standing Committee at 9:09 a.m.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH called the hearing to order at 9:09 a.m. He
explained the purpose of the overview was to update the
committee on the activities of the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs and the Division of Homeland Security.
JOHN CRAMER, Director, Administrative Services Division,
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, reviewed the
accomplishments of the department for calendar year 2003 and
explained how those changes affect the fiscal year (FY) 2005
budget. Notable accomplishments were: establishment of a joint
headquarters of the Army [National Guard] and Air [National
Guard]; deletion of the assistant commissioner position for the
Office of Homeland Security; reduction of administrative staff
by six positions; development of the Aerospace Defense
Organization; and development of a strategic plan and annual
report.
MR. CRAMER told the committee that the Division of Homeland
Security and the Division of Emergency Services have been
combined and are now called the Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management. The governor's Homeland Security Task
Force and the U.S. Attorneys' Anti-terrorism Task Force were
also combined. Homeland security threat procedures have been
established and plans are in place to protect the critical
infrastructure assets in the state. Grants for first responders
will be disseminated to communities throughout Alaska. In
response to comments, Mr. Cramer explained the Division of
Homeland Security works with communities throughout the state to
develop plans. Each community determines its own number of
first responders. Mr. Cramer agreed it would be helpful if the
department knew the number of first responders statewide.
MR. CRAMER then directed his comments to Emergency Management.
The Homeland Security Division had six emergencies and events in
2003. Mr. Cramer elaborated on the changes that were physically
made to the division during 2003, such as consolidating the
State Emergency Coordination Center (SECC) with Trooper Dispatch
resulting in reduced operations and expenses.
COLONEL RICHARD THOMAS, Deputy Commander, Alaska Army National
Guard (AANG), spoke of the highlights of that Command during
2003 and noted that military personnel were deployed to various
Alaska locations, to Kosovo, and to Colorado. In response to a
question from Chair Weyhrauch, Colonel Thomas replied that
Alaskan soldiers are deployed based on availability, their
proven ability, and readiness. He told the committee the
mission at Fort Greeley will be active by September 1, 2004.
Another possible mission for the Alaska Command is in
conjunction with the U.S. Force, Korea, and Joint Task Force
Alaska. In regard to military construction, he informed the
committee that the new Juneau Armory is in progress; land is
secured in Nome for an armory that will utilize the same design
plan as the Bethel Armory. Funding is being sought for Junior
ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs at Kotzebue and
Barrow. The Nome ROTC program is an example of a successful
program, he related.
BRIGADIER GENERAL TIM SCOTT, Assistant Alaska Air Guard
Director, Alaska Air National Guard, spoke to the deployment of
Alaska Air Guard members within Alaska and worldwide during
2003. He stated that 85 full-time Alaska Air National Guardsmen
will be on active duty at Clear Air Force Station when that
facility is fully manned in 2008. General Scott reported that
the Regional Air Operations Center located at Elmendorf Air
Force Base assures air sovereignty over the State of Alaska,
along with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Mission. He noted that there is a National Guard tanker at
Eielson Air Force Base to support active duty F-15 fighter
aircraft, flown by Alaska Air National Guardsmen.
GENERAL SCOTT, in response to a question from Representative
Lynn regarding the National Guard Family Assistance Center in
Anchorage, explained how it relates to the mission of the
National Guard and Air National Guard. The program is federally
funded by the Department of Defense, he noted.
MR. CRAMER highlighted activities of the State Veterans' Affairs
Unit. He related that stand-down 2004 was successfully
accomplished, as well as, celebrations for Memorial Day,
Veteran's Day and Independence Day. There are presently 71,000
veterans being served in the State of Alaska. He noted that
Alaska Territorial Guard personnel, who served from World War II
through the Cold War, were presented with official discharge
papers. The Military Youth Academy received the Volunteer
Services for Education Award as the top performing facility in
the country, and graduated 204 cadets. He spoke of Science,
Technology and Academics Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space
Exploration (Starbase), a federally funded program; over 1,000
students [third through eighth grade] attend basic science
classes in this program at the facility in Anchorage. He then
turned attention to the Alaska Counter Drug Program that assists
law enforcement agencies in seizure of marijuana plants,
processed marijuana, and cocaine. Over 25,000 community members
were familiarized with drug awareness programs and the National
Guard's drug testing program.
MR. CRAMER moved on to discuss the Alaska State Defense Force
(ASDF), a volunteer organization with over 250 members. This
organization activated over 80 soldiers for force protection and
military police service in Juneau, Valdez, and along the Dalton
Highway in late December 2003 and early January 2004. The ASDF
field trains with the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) and
augments ARRC's limited security forces.
COLONEL THOMAS spoke to objectives of the Department of Military
and Veterans' Affairs: activation of ground missile defenses at
Fort Greeley; bringing peacekeepers back from Kosovo;
enhancement of the Alaska National Guard Member Support Program;
and a Joint-Force Headquarters initiative; exploring the
feasibility of 2005 maintenance contracts for repairs to the
individual armories and facilities; development of a stronger
organization by incorporating the Mountain Battalions from New
England states along with the Eskimo Scouts, to strengthen both
non-commissioned units.
COLONEL SCOTT discussed the Air National Guard transformation
th
plan, affecting both Kulis Air National Guard Base and the 168
(indisc.) at Eielson Air Force Base. Base Operating Support
(BOS) and lighter functions of the base will be combined with
active duty counterparts to increase efficiency and decrease
costs.
MR. CRAMER related the Alaska State Defense Force objective is
to establish a mobile communications support cell utilizing an
existing satellite communications system, expanding operations
to include waterfront protection in Seward, and establishing
additional operation plans at critical infrastructures as
assigned. He related Homeland Security objectives: complete
the distribution of $42 million in federal grants; conduct major
response exercises in conjunction with other state/federal
agencies; completion of an emergency management assessment
program; increase the local jurisdiction outreach program; and
perform additional critical infrastructure vulnerability
assessments. He also related emergency management [objectives]:
review the Local Emergency Planning Committee's (LEPC) purpose
and process; establish a closeout of 75 percent of federally
declared disasters within four years of occurrence; pursue an
alternate emergency coordination center and possible joint
operational center with the state and federal agencies.
MR. CRAMER highlighted budget projections for 2005, including
decreases to staff and budget by eliminating positions, reducing
overtime, incorporating like departments, and reducing some
grant funding. Budget additions are for Junior ROTC startup
programs, an increase to the National Guard State Retirement
System funding, and the addition of funds for a Fairbanks Youth
Academy.
MR. CRAMER responded to Representative Holm's question regarding
the additional funds for the National Guard State Retirement
System by saying that Representative Holm is correct in his
understanding that the additional funding was needed due to the
fact that the state did not invest in the retirement fund as it
should have.
MR. CRAMER was asked by Representative Seaton if Alaska has an
Incident Command System structure in Southeast [Alaska]
involving the Alaska Marine Highway System. Mr. Cramer
explained that the Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities is a member of the governor's Homeland Security Task
Force and "they" participate in exercises offered by the
Homeland Security Division. He couldn't say if there is an
ongoing plan for Southeast Alaska. However, the U.S. Coast
Guard has an ongoing system for this area and would play an
active role in an Incident Command System should it become
necessary. In response to Representative Seaton, Mr. Cramer
confirmed there is a document that specifies the set up of such
a command, including who is in charge and what is taking place.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH took an at ease at 9:55 a.m., reconvened at 9:58
for the purpose of Executive Session on the topic of homeland
security.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH adjourned the meeting at 10:16 a.m.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were
taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by
contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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