Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/09/1994 05:00 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
March 9, 1994
5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Representative Ed Willis
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Richard Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Mike Navarre
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Loren Leman
Senator Tim Kelly
Senator Bert Sharp
Representative Al Vezey
Representative Jeannette James
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Presentation from Colonel George Vakalis, Garrison
Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska on the U.S. Army Force
Reductions in Alaska.
WITNESS REGISTER
COLONEL GEORGE VAKALIS
Garrison Commander
U.S. Army Garrison Alaska
600 Richardson Drive
Ft. Richardson, AK 99505
Phone: (907) 384-2180
Position Statement: Addressed the committee
CHUCK CANTERBURY
Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Army Garrison Alaska
600 Richardson Drive
Ft. Richardson, AK 99505
Phone: (907) 384-2072
Position Statement: Observer
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 94-4, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR MULDER called the meeting of the House Special
Committee on Military & Veterans Affairs to order at 5:10
p.m.
The only member present was Representatives Willis. Members
absent were Representatives Foster, Navarre and Kott.
CHAIR MULDER noted for the record that Representative Vezey,
Representative James and Senator Sharp were in attendance.
CHAIR MULDER introduced COLONEL GEORGE VAKALIS and invited
him to address the committee.
Number 010
COLONEL GEORGE VAKALIS stated that it was always a pleasure
to speak about the Army. He stated that several months ago,
Senator Stevens assembled a group to speak to the Chamber of
Commerce about his concern that the community be informed
about the upcoming Base Realignment and Closure Commission
(BRAC) study, the BRAC as a whole, and some of the pros of
the military in Alaska. Colonel Vakalis noted that Senator
Steven's primary emphasis at that time was Ft. Richardson in
Anchorage because Ft. Richardson has been named during the
last BRAC reviews. Colonel Vakalis explained that it is a
common misnomer that Ft. Richardson has been on the BRAC
list; he noted that Ft. Richardson has been closely looked
at and speculation has been made on the viability and
survivability of Ft. Richardson. Colonel Vakalis explained
that he was tasked with preparing a briefing and
presentation documents on this subject. He stated that the
briefing was prepared primarily for Anchorage, but that
information was also constructed for the Fairbanks area.
Number 029
COLONEL VAKALIS explained that he would like to cover four
main areas: the Base Realignment and Closure process, why
the Army in Alaska, the status of the reorganization
efforts, and an update on the economic and community impact,
specifically in Anchorage.
Number 035
COLONEL VAKALIS explained that BRAC stands for Base
Realignment and Closure and was developed by Congress and
the executive branch around 1990. He said that the reason
for the creation of the BRAC was the personal
"pork-barreling" that went on in Congress during attempts to
close bases. Colonel Vakalis explained that the BRAC
process begins with each of the branches of the military
reviewing all posts, camps and stations and making
determinations on the necessity of each facility. Once the
review is completed, these recommendations are forwarded to
the Secretary of Defense. Upon receipt of these
recommendations, the Secretary of Defense may change the
list by adding facilities, removing facilities, etc. Once
the Department of Defense is finished with the list, they
send their revised list to the BRAC Commission, a five
member panel appointed by the President. The BRAC
Commission does not have to abide by the recommendations
from the Department of Defense (DOD), they have the
authority to add or remove facilities at their discretion.
Once the BRAC Commission has finalized these
recommendations, they are forwarded to the President.
Colonel Vakalis stated that the President only has two
options, to accept the list in total or to reject the list
in total. If the President accepts the list, then it is
sent to Congress, who has three options. Congress may
accept the list in total, reject the list in total or do
nothing. Colonel Vakalis stated that if the Congress does
nothing, then in 60 days it becomes law and those bases are
closed. Colonel Vakalis then detailed the time line for the
BRAC process.
Number 075
SENATOR KELLY asked the Colonel who was the current
Secretary of Defense.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that the current Secretary of
Defense was Togo West.
Number 078
COLONEL VAKALIS asked if there was any further questions on
the BRAC process.
Number 079
SENATOR SHARP asked when the list would become public during
the process.
COLONEL VAKALIS said that the list would become public when
the Secretary of Defense submits the list to the BRAC
Commission.
SENATOR SHARP asked if the process was confidential until
that point.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that that was correct.
Number 082
SENATOR KELLY asked if Alaska would receive a visit from the
BRAC Commission in the Spring of 1994.
COLONEL VAKALIS explained that Alaska would be visited by
the service component, not the BRAC Commission. He further
explained that the each of the services has appointed their
own BRAC study group. Colonel Vakalis said that the Army
will visit Alaska's three Army posts in April or May.
SENATOR KELLY asked if our three posts were Wainwright,
Richardson and Greely.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that that was correct.
SENATOR KELLY asked how much influence the Army really has
over the Secretary of Defense in the making of the final
list.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that if the Army recommends the
list to the Secretary of the Defense, then in all likelihood
the posts that are on the list will stay on the list, unless
there is something that is unknown when the Army makes the
list.
SENATOR KELLY asked if the Secretary of Defense generally
listens to the Army.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that that was correct. He stated
that in 1991, the Army did not recommend that Ft. Richardson
be placed on the closure list. However, when the list was
being reviewed by DOD, there was a group in the DOD who
wanted to take a closer look at Ft. Richardson.
SENATOR KELLY asked what happened during the 1993 BRAC
process.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that Ft. Richardson was never put on
the list, but because Ft. Richardson was put on the list in
1991, it was looked at very closely again, but was never put
on the DOD list. He stated that one unique thing happened
very late during the BRAC Commission process - one member
from the BRAC Commission queried why Ft. Richardson was not
on the list.
SENATOR KELLY asked if this was when people from Ft. Ord in
Monterey, CA, complained.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that that was correct. He stated
that Ft. Richardson was asked about but never considered,
because when a facility is not recommended for closure by
DOD, it is difficult for the Commission to put together the
data to justify closing it. Colonel Vakalis said that the
strategy was to convince the particular service and DOD not
to recommend the facility for closure.
Number 112
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS stated that Senator Arlen Specter from
Pennsylvania was considering filing a suit with regard to
the constitutionality of the BRAC Commission and asked
Colonel Vakalis if he had heard anything about this.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that he had heard the same thing,
but he knew of no further progress of the suit or changes to
the law.
Number 118
SENATOR KELLY asked how long it takes to actually close a
base.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that there is no set rule and that
it depends on the particular post. He noted that if there
is environmental restoration that has to occur, then this
must be completed before the base can be transferred for
another use. He further noted that this is required by law.
SENATOR KELLY stated that when he was in Orlando in 1991,
they made the first BRAC list that closed down a Naval
Training Base. Senator Kelly asked if that base was closed
yet.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that he did not know if that
particular base was closed. He said in 1991 the BRAC
designated Englund AFB in Louisiana for closure and that it
still hasn't closed. Colonel Vakalis explained that all of
the Air Force personnel are gone, but it is still going
through the environmental restoration process.
Number 132
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER asked if the time line to shift troops
out of a closed base is fairly exact.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that when a decision is made to
close any base, the idea is to save money, so obviously they
are going to move troops out as soon as possible.
Number 139
REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY asked what the state could do to
prevent Alaska's facilities from being put onto the BRAC
list.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that he will answer that question as
the briefing continues.
Number 143
COLONEL VAKALIS stated that there are four major criteria
that are considered during the BRAC process: power
projection, training and sustainment base, community
partnership, and socioeconomic impact. He stated that the
aspect of socioeconomic impact is not the most driving
factor considered in the process.
Number 153
COLONEL VAKALIS said that in the past, military forces have
always been forward deployed in areas such as Europe, Korea,
Japan, Philippines, etc. The thought was that if these
forces were forward deployed, then it was easier for these
forces to react to situations in areas where the U.S. had a
strategic interest or in areas that were potential "hot
spots." These forces then could act as deterrents or a
defending force. Colonel Vakalis stated that as the world
has changed, the philosophy of the military has changed.
This prompted the Army to come up with the concept of the
power projection platform, namely, bringing the forces back
to the United States to posts that are able to project
forces forward to take care of any contingency operations
worldwide. Colonel Vakalis explained that in order for a
post to be a power projection platform, then a post must be
able to do certain things. First, the post must be able to
mobilize the reserve military components located in the
local geographical area to the base, and give them a final
bit of training and preparation en route to a contingency
theater of operations. Colonel Vakalis stated that Ft.
Richardson is the mobilization platform for Alaska.
Secondly, the post must be able to train soldiers and all
three of Alaska's posts have adequate training area to do
this. He said Ft. Richardson does not have as much training
area as Ft. Wainwright or Ft. Greely, but it does have
adequate land to train soldiers. In comparison, the 47,000
acres that Ft. Richardson has is equivalent to other posts,
camps and stations in the Lower 48.
Third, bases must be able to deploy forces. Colonel Vakalis
stated that Ft. Richardson and Ft. Wainwright are able to do
that because of the access to airfields, ports and the rail
system.
Fourth, the particular post must be able to support the
forces while they are there and while they are deployed to a
contingency operational area. Colonel Vakalis explained
that because of the network system of ports and airfields,
the Army is able to support the forces to any area that they
are sent worldwide, particularly from Ft. Richardson because
of the ports.
Fifth, the post must be able to reconstitute forces.
Colonel Vakalis explained that this is when a force is
decimated to a point where they cannot function any longer
so they must be brought back to the post or a force must be
reconstituted to replace them. He stated that Ft.
Richardson and Ft. Wainwright are able to do this.
Number 205
COLONEL VAKALIS stated that by looking at all of these
criteria together, it shows that Ft. Wainwright and Ft.
Richardson meet all criteria for a power projection
platform.
Number 211
SENATOR KELLY stated that he heard a rumor that there is a
special forces battalion that wants to relocate to Alaska
and asked if there was any truth to this.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that when the Army in Alaska
reorganizes, there will be the capacity for additional
organizations to relocate to Ft. Richardson. He said that
there was someone from the Special Forces who came to look
at Ft. Richardson and that they were very impressed and were
looking into the possibility of relocating one of the
Special Forces battalions to Ft. Richardson.
SENATOR KELLY asked if these were the same people who wore
the green berets.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that that was correct and that there
are some who wear black berets who are called Rangers.
Number 221
COLONEL VAKALIS said that all three posts in Alaska, Ft.
Richardson in Anchorage, Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks and Ft.
Greely in Delta Junction all have specific roles and support
one another. He stated that the command and control for the
6th Infantry (Light) is located at Ft. Wainwright, along
with the two-star division commander and half of the
divisional units. Colonel Vakalis explained that the reason
for this is because the major training area is located at
Ft. Wainwright and at Ft. Greely. He said that Ft. Greely
supports two tenant organizations, the Northern Warfare
Training Center and the Cold Regions Test Center. Colonel
Vakalis said that the Northern Warfare Training Center
trains personnel for warfare in arctic regions. The Cold
Regions Test Center is set up to test every piece of Army
equipment for performance in cold weather before it is
accepted into the Army inventory. Colonel Vakalis said that
Ft. Richardson is the logistical hub for all three of the
posts. All supplies for all of the posts come to Ft.
Richardson because of its proximity to the ports, airports
and road system. Colonel Vakalis also explained that Ft.
Richardson is the location of the Garrison Headquarters of
which he is the commander. Colonel Vakalis then explained
that the Garrison is not part of the Division and explained
the kind of relationship that exists between them.
Number 264
COLONEL VAKALIS stated that a key part of the power
projection factor was the ability to deploy soldiers to a
contingency operation as fast as possible. He stated that
Alaska is very fortunate in this manner because soldiers can
be deployed simultaneously from Ft. Richardson and Ft.
Wainwright. Colonel Vakalis said that the key to deployment
is airfields and Alaskan military facilities are very
fortunate because of the availability of air fields that can
accommodate C-5 aircraft, the largest military transport
aircraft. Colonel Vakalis said that north of the range,
airfields at Ft. Wainwright, Elmendorf AFB and Fairbanks
International Airport are all available; south of the range
airfields at Elmendorf AFB and Anchorage International
Airport are available. Colonel Vakalis also pointed out
that polar routes from Alaska allow the rapid deployment to
any of the "hot spots" faster than any other divisional
organization in the Army.
Number 312
COLONEL VAKALIS illustrated that there our four major ports,
Anchorage, Whittier, Valdez and Seward, that are used to
support Ft. Richardson and the Army in Alaska. He noted
that Anchorage is the biggest and used the most. He stated
that Ft. Richardson has the ability to hold four battalion
sized organizations and that this was good and bad. He
explained that this was good because they had the capacity
to lure other organizations to base themselves out of
Alaska, but it was bad because there are some "doomsdayers"
that would say that Ft. Richardson has a lot of wasted space
and should be closed for efficiency sake. Colonel Vakalis
expressed that the Army is trying to sell the story that
Alaska is a great place to train and to live. He further
noted that there is no extra space at Ft. Wainwright, they
are currently overcrowded, and with the reorganization they
will be at capacity. Colonel Vakalis also expounded on the
support that all communities give to the military personnel.
Number 341
COLONEL VAKALIS stated that another key thing in Alaska is
the joint training that takes place between the Air Force
and the Army. He stated that when the Army goes to train in
the outer areas, the Air Force takes them there for free.
He said that this is because the Air Force sees these
exercises as training for landing on crude air strips that
they would find in a third world country. Colonel Vakalis
explained that there is also an airborne battalion located
at Ft. Richardson. These soldiers are transported and
dropped by Air Force planes for training value for both
services. He also explained that the location of F-15's and
other air support is valuable training for both services.
Number 376
COLONEL VAKALIS commented on the impact the reorganization
will have on family housing in the local communities. He
said that there are 1700 sets of quarters on-post at Ft.
Richardson and 1400 soldiers that live off-post. He said
that after the reorganization the demand for off-post
housing will drop down to zero. Colonel Vakalis said that
he will not require any soldiers to move on-post unless he
cannot maintain a mandated 95% occupancy rate. He said that
there is a major construction program taking place at Ft.
Richardson and at Ft. Wainwright that would convert
eight-plex housing to four-plex housing. Colonel Vakalis
stated that because of this conversion there will eventually
be several soldiers living off-post in the Anchorage and
Fairbanks area.
Number 415
COLONEL VAKALIS illustrated the large amount of training
area that Alaska possesses. He reiterated that Ft.
Richardson has 47,000 acres of training area and that this
was equal to Ft. Chaffee, AR, which was the major training
and testing site for all contingency forces in the Army. He
said that Ft. Greely has 629,000 acres of training area and
the largest training area the Army has is 630,000 acres at
the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, CA. Colonel
Vakalis then pointed out that Ft. Wainwright has 878,000
acres of training area.
REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY asked if the Army trains on Eielson
AFB.
COLONEL VAKALIS replied that the Army owns the land behind
Eielson AFB and this is called the Yukon Training Area. He
further stated that when he calculates the 878,000 acres of
training area, he is including the Yukon Training area,
Clear Creek, and Tanana training areas.
Number 438
COLONEL VAKALIS concluded that if you add this acreage
together, the Army owns or manages 1.5 million acres of
training area and that this is larger than any other
facility that the Army owns. He said that another key point
is that there is not an endangered species anywhere on the
training area that the Army owns in Alaska. Colonel Vakalis
said that every Army post in the Lower 48 and overseas has
an endangered species. He then explained a situation at Ft.
Polk, Ft. Benning and at Ft. Bragg with the red caucated
woodpecker and another situation in Hawaii and an endangered
species of snail.
TAPE 94-4, SIDE B
Number 000
COLONEL VAKALIS stated that the variance in the terrain of
the training area in Alaska is not found anywhere else in
the United States. He stated that this variance makes it
excellent for training infantry soldiers for any contingency
operation in the world. He said that the understanding that
training in Alaska only prepares you for arctic operations
is a myth. Colonel Vakalis noted that soldiers who train in
the arctic are equally prepared to operate in the desert or
the tropics because the same principles apply. He
illustrated similar problems with dehydration, maneuvering
snow or sand, foot problems that occur with soldiers in the
tropics, desert or arctic. Colonel Vakalis summarized that
training in Alaska is good preparation for operations in the
rest of the world. He also stated that due to the vastness
of the training area, full weapon training is available.
Number 025
COLONEL VAKALIS told the committee that the Army has an
extensive transportation and communication network in
Alaska. He said that due to the population base in the
Anchorage community, the Army is able to staff technical
maintenance personnel in Anchorage, but in Fairbanks and
Delta Junction this is not the case. Colonel Vakalis also
pointed out that Ft. Richardson has all of the warehousing
of Army equipment, including the war stocks for the Pacific
theater.
Number 035
COLONEL VAKALIS directed the committee's attention to a
slide that showed the square footage that the Army maintains
at all three of the posts. He showed that this adds up to
3.5 million square feet. Colonel Vakalis then broke down
the square footage maintained by each post over time and
explained fluctuations in the amounts. Colonel Vakalis
summarized the construction projects and programs that were
occurring at each of the three posts.
Number 085
COLONEL VAKALIS illustrated the soldier and family type
facilities that exist at all three posts. He listed such
examples as the ski facilities and the golf course. Colonel
Vakalis stated that the golf course is currently being
expanded another eighteen holes. He said that the Army is
able to maintain these facilities as long as they support
themselves. Colonel Vakalis then explained to the committee
that there are some programs that make enough money to
support the others and listed as an example the golf course
at Ft. Richardson.
Number 109
COLONEL VAKALIS pointed out to the committee the numerous
ways the Army and the local communities support each other.
Colonel Vakalis directed the committee to a list of
organizations that the Army and the local community
participate in the greater Anchorage area and further noted
that these same activities take place in the Fairbanks area.
Number 117
COLONEL VAKALIS commented on a few of the programs that the
Army is required to be able to provide assistance to the
community. Civil law enforcement is one area that the Army
cooperates with local and federal law agencies. Colonel
Vakalis remarked that intelligence sharing and joint
training regularly occur between the Army and these
agencies. Colonel Vakalis stated that the Army has an
Explosives Ordnance Detachment that is located at Ft.
Richardson. This detachment has a mission to provide
civilian and military support throughout Alaska. Colonel
Vakalis then told the committee about a recent situation at
the Alaska Museum in Anchorage where this detachment
deactivated explosive devices on two whaling harpoons.
Colonel Vakalis noted some of the other activities that the
Army supports the community with. He explained that the
wild game count is a large responsibility that the Army
undertakes for the community.
Number 138
COLONEL VAKALIS pointed out some of the contributions that
the community makes to the Army. He explained that both in
Anchorage and Fairbanks the Army recognizes their soldiers
of the month. Colonel Vakalis explained that the local
businesses and communities donate money, fishing trips and
other items to the recognized soldier. Colonel Vakalis
stated that this is not the only example of community
support for the military and cited other situations where
the local community has helped the military.
Number 166
COLONEL VAKALIS stated that the Army decided a year ago that
the division would be reduced to a brigade. Colonel Vakalis
explained that normally a division contains three brigades,
but Alaska only has two brigades. He said that as a result
of the reorganization, Alaska would have one slightly larger
brigade and that the bulk of the brigade will be located at
Ft. Wainwright. Colonel Vakalis stated that normally the
commanding two-star general would be eliminated, but a new
leadership structure has been developed called the U.S. Army
Alaska (USARAK). This structure will allow the two-star
general to oversee all Army forces in Alaska and be located
at Ft. Richardson. Colonel Vakalis stated that now his
Garrison staff will wear two hats, one as the Garrison staff
that oversees the operation of all three posts in Alaska and
the other as the USARAK staff to the two-star general.
COLONEL VAKALIS said that another result of the
reorganization was the creation of the Arctic Support
Brigade at Ft. Richardson. He said this brigade was created
to comprise other assets of the military, such as heavy
engineer companies, a personal services and finance
battalion, and an aviation battalion. Colonel Vakalis said
that the net result of this reorganization is that Ft.
Wainwright will lose 600 military personnel and Ft.
Richardson will lose 2,050 personnel. He said there have
already been 600 personnel relocated at Ft. Richardson and
250 personnel removed at Ft. Wainwright to date. He said
that this is a godsend in Ft. Wainwright where the Army was
overcrowded. Colonel Vakalis said that this reorganization
must be completed by October 1, 1994, and that the division
headquarters will stand down at the end of July or beginning
of August, at which point USARAK will take over.
Number 222
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS asked if the brigade responsibility
would continue in regards to overseas missions.
COLONEL VAKALIS answered that the brigade will have a
worldwide deployable mission specifically focused in the
Pacific theater.
Number 228
COLONEL VAKALIS explained some of the economic impact that
the reorganization would have in the Anchorage and Fairbanks
area. He said that 49% of the military population will be
gone by October 1, 1994, and this will be done by normal
attrition as much as possible. Colonel Vakalis told the
committee that this really adds up to 5,330 people when
spouses and dependents are taken into account. He said that
944 school age children will depart the Anchorage area due
to the reorganization. Colonel Vakalis said that the real
concern is the reduction of $51.2 million in sales volume
that the reorganization will cause. He also pointed out the
government funds that are given to Alaska for education of
military school children will reduce and explained the
historical contribution in Alaska. Colonel Vakalis said
that as a result of the organization, it will reduce these
educational funds by $3.8 million. Colonel Vakalis
illustrated how the departure of these school children in
Anchorage will affect certain grades.
Number 282
COLONEL VAKALIS directed the committee's attention to a
slide that showed the work force profile of military and
civilian personnel at Ft. Richardson. Colonel Vakalis
pointed out that the civilian work force numbers will stay
fairly constant even after the reorganization and further
explained this to the committee. Colonel Vakalis said that
he is not sure how constant this will stay due to a national
directive by President Clinton to reduce this civilian work
force. Colonel Vakalis then showed the committee a slide
that detailed the total expenditures that Ft. Richardson
would make to the Anchorage community and that these would
decrease from $258 million to $201 million. Colonel Vakalis
explained to the committee that Northeast Anchorage will be
most affected by the removal of personnel living off-post
due to the reorganization. Colonel Vakalis then showed the
committee a slide that described where the civilian work
force resides in the Anchorage community.
Number 339
COLONEL VAKALIS then summarized his presentation by
explaining that the three posts in Alaska are extremely
viable due to the training and deployability. He stated
that the Army really appreciates the community support that
they receive from the local community. Colonel Vakalis said
the Army in Alaska has made a very good case to the
Department of Defense in 1993 and that the data that was
presented then has not changed and will be resubmitted for
1995. He stated that Ft. Richardson and Ft. Wainwright are
two integral parts of deployability and the power projection
platform. Colonel Vakalis said that the only thing that
members of the committee could do would be to realize how
viable these bases are and how that relates to the BRAC
requirements and to communicate this to others. He did
express the possibility of having some kind of local
community meeting with some of the DOD/BRAC representatives
to hear about how the bases interact with the communities.
Number 390
CHAIR MULDER thanked the Colonel for his presentation and
noted for the record that Senator Kelly and Senator Leman
were in attendance. There being no further business, Chair
Mulder adjourned the committee at 6:36 p.m.
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