Legislature(2001 - 2002)
11/01/2002 12:30 PM Senate ASC
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA LEGISLATURE
JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
Susitna Club, Elmendorf AFB
NOVEMBER 1, 2002
12:30 P.M.
SENATE MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Gary Wilken, Co-Chair
Senator Loren Leman
SENATE MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Randy Phillips
Senator Ben Stevens
Senator Bettye Davis
HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Representative Lisa Murkowski
Representative John Harris
Representative Jeannette James
HOUSE MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Reggie Joule
PUBLIC MEMBERS PRESENT
Tom Case
George Cannelos
Jake Lestenkof
Dean Owen
Chick Wallace
PUBLIC MEMBERS ABSENT
Frank Love
CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Mitch Abood
Chris Gates
Lance Herrington
Dave Lewis
Gerald Myers
Tom Morgan
Roger Schnell
Mead Treadwell
ACTION NARRATIVE
CO-CHAIR MULDER called the Joint Armed Services Committee (JASC) meeting to order at
12:30 p.m. Mulder mentioned that as he will be leaving the Legislature at the end of this session,
this will be his last meeting. He said that while the JASC is a relatively new committee, it is an
important one and one that he's always enjoyed being connected with. Mulder then recognized
the presence of the committee members and Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) members as listed
above. In addition, Mulder introduced Wayne Anthony Ross, the incoming chairman of the
Armed Services YMCA and Mulder thanked Ross, CAB Members Tom Morgan, Executive
Director of the ASYMCA, and Dave Lewis, outgoing chairman of the ASYMCA, for sponsoring
our luncheon today.
CO-CHAIR MULDER announced additional people present were Janice Nielsen from
USARPAC in Hawaii, Chris Nelson from National Missile Defense, Bob Walsh from
Representative Richard Foster's office, Finance Committee Chief of Staff Denny DeWitt,
Mulder staff member Matt Gill, Barb Mee, JASC Committee, outgoing JASC member George
Vakalis and Ritchie Hoyt. Mulder reminded the group that since our last meeting, member
John Hoyt has passed away, and Mrs. Hoyt was invited to join with us today. Also, condolences
were expressed to CAB member Mead Treadwell on the loss of his wife this past week.
A motion was called for and seconded to approve the minutes from the previous JASC meeting
dated May 3, 2002. There being no objection, the minutes were approved.
CO-CHAIR MULDER said the committee has been involved in a series of important
happenings the past few months, one being the attendance of the Joint Armed Services
Committee at the Air Force Association Convention in Washington, DC September 15, 16, 17,
2002. Mulder called upon new member Brig.Gen. retired George Cannelos to give a report on
the AFA.
GEORGE CANNELOS first of all thanked the committee leadership Senator Gary Wilken and
Representative Eldon Mulder for appointing him as Anchorage Mayor George Wuerch's
representative to this committee. Cannelos indicated of all his duties at City Hall, this is the one
he likes most to focus on because of its importance. Cannelos described the committee's
"missionary" work in DC as most worthwhile. He credited our matriarch Barb Mee who got the
idea when working with General Billy Mitchell! (much laugher … Mitchell is THE WWI era air
force hero). Alaska has a great story to tell, is misunderstood and sometimes forgotten by policy
makers in DC. We know our strategic location and our training areas. Our concern is it's not
widely known in DC.
CANNELOS again credited Mee for working with the Air Force Association without much
advance time to secure a booth in outstanding location near Boeing where we could market to the
decision makers as well as the rank and file, the young people coming up the ladder who will
soon be decision makers. The delegation included Senator Pete Kelly from Fairbanks,
Representative Eldon Mulder, Barb and her husband, retired Chief Vince Mee, my wife
MaryLu, and Matt Gill.
CANNELOS thanked George Vakalis, the Anchorage and Fairbanks Chambers for the
brochures, ALCOM for their brochures, the Northern Edge video and other information used in
the continuously running CD put together by Matt Gill of Mulder's staff. Cannelos said the
display's focal point was the ALCOM strategic position map and daily drawings in which we
reeled in people, from former Secretary of the Air Force to ROTC students, to drop off their
business cards. The delegation had meetings at the Pentagon and with Sean O'Keefe,
Administrator of NASA. And, a meeting with Senator Stevens confirmed that while a lot of
people know about Alaska's strategic position, DC is a transit place and he applauded our efforts
and encouraged us to do this on a regular basis. The AFA is a powerful ally and its incoming
president said he'd never seen a state market itself as we did this year.
CANNELOS mentioned the disappointment in visiting the Pentagon and seeing Alaska's
location still misplaced on maps. Continuing effort to educate people on Alaska is a lot of work
but we should join with other forums - partner up - with Chambers - Alcom - Alaska Visitor
Bureau. We're dealing with a well educated audience who likes to travel.
CANNELOS concluded his report by showing the committee one of the interesting items given
out at the AFA. (Cannelos trip report on the AFA is appended to these minutes, Attachment
1).
CO-CHAIR MULDER reiterated all of the "neat stuff" that was displayed at the Air Force
Association and then called on member Dean Owen for a report on NAID.
DEAN OWEN gave a synopsis on his representation of the Joint Armed Services Committee at
the August 3-6, 2002 meeting of the National Association of Installation Developers. (Owen's
trip report is appended to these minutes, Attachment 2). Owen reported that attending the
NAID conferences is a means to keep informed on what's going on; and that while he personally
didn't believe Alaska was in any trouble BRAC-wise, it was important to stay informed to know
when data calls go out and who BRAC staff members are. He feels attendance at these
conferences, AFA and AUSA conventions, are important.
CO-CHAIR MULDER then expanded on George Cannelos' comments on the visits in DC and
reminded members that when Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, was
in Alaska last February to speak at the Salute to the Military, he told us Alaskans could get our
message out by going to DC on a regular basis and talking with decision makers. We dovetailed
meetings with the AFA Convention. Mulder encouraged those who will remain on the
Committee to keep this high level of JASC involvement in mind in the future. It takes more than
five people, and you need to take some real interesting goodies for hand out. People are
interested in Alaska.
CO-CHAIR MULDER indicated while the group was unable to meet with Myers this trip
because of war situation, we did get to meet with several people in the Pentagon including the
"situation room" where action is monitored during times such as we are in now. We were also
able to meet with former USARAK CG Lovelace and Mulder was also able to meet with
another former USARAK CG, General Cash, who will be retiring back to Alaska next May.
Again, Mulder encouraged committee members staying on to get involved with any and all
efforts to tell the Alaska story of strategic location and military training areas.
CO-CHAIR MULDER then called on Co-Chair Wilken to discuss his recent activities in
Fairbanks.
CO-CHAIR WILKEN thanked the group for coming today and singled out Janice Nielsen who
had traveled all the way from Hawaii, and Tom Case. Wilken said when Case left Alaska, we
knew we were losing a good person and when he retired and came back, to the University, he
was very pleased. Wilken also noted that this was a young committee, and that its idea was
hatched by three legislators over a bottle of wine and we owe its being to former Senator Tim
Kelly, Senator Loren Leman and Representative Eldon Mulder. These three wondered why there
wasn't any legislative involvement in the military and this full standing committee, with staff,
was born. That's not an easy thing to do especially when you have to whack a little bit out of the
budget each year to restrain growth.
CO-CHAIR WILKEN said it occurred to him that it's taken a couple years to define what our
mission should be and credited a lot of that to Barb Mee. From what I hear the AFA was a home
run and something we should continue to do - that and the AUSA. Should try to schedule out of
hunting season! (much laughter). Wilken said he'd had two occasions just recently to go out and
talk about the JASC and the military. One was to the retiree's association, about 45 folks, sitting
around talking about our committee and the military. Wilken said he passed out the great
brochures put together by George Vakalis and the chambers and played the great CD put
together. Wilken reminded committee members they all have this CD and they really should
play it for people. It knocks you out of your chair. Wilken said his second presentation was to
the Chamber Military Committee and got JASC working with them. Wilken again stated he felt
this is WHY this committee was organized... why Tim, Loren and Eldon put it together - to do
exactly as we are now doing and again thanked Mee for helping the JASC to do that.
CO-CHAIR WILKEN said in closing I'd like to get a little personal. We're going to miss
Jeannette James. She's been a trooper, but with redistricting two good people were placed
against each other and both ran a darn good race, John Coghill just got a couple more votes than
Jeannette. But, she's been at every meeting, like she is today, she isn't a quitter and she'll
continue to make places like North Pole a better place to live. (Big applause.) The other is
Eldon… as the Father of the Committee, we're going to miss him - under similar circumstances.
But we have to thank him. He's not going away, he'll continue to pester us .. but this committee
is going to lose a leader and a friend, and once more I'd like us all to tell him thanks. (Big
applause).
CO-CHAIR MULDER thanked Senator Wilken and then called on Barb Mee.
BARB MEE thanked the Co-Chair for keeping the meeting on time and said that she had
included in their packets her end of the year report. (Mee's year end report is appended to
these minutes, as Attachment 3). Mee hoped the membership would have an opportunity to
read it in the next few weeks or months. Mee pointed out that she had also included in the
packets (and appended to these minutes) a copy of the enabling legislation for the JASC
members as well as the language for the Citizens Advisory Board members to refresh their
memories on how and when JASC members are selected and the intention behind appointing
CAB members. Mee reminded them that four legislative members would be going off at this
session's ending and hoped the remaining members would try and stay on the committee to
provide institutional memory.
MEE reminded the members of the committee's website:
http://www.akrepublicans.org/22ndleg/jointarms.shtml and hoped members would add it to their
"favorites". She reminded the CAB members that by logging on to this site they could also call
up the committee minutes.
MEE also praised the CD the JASC took back to the AFA in DC and thanked Matt Gill for
pulling the CD together, and for the information from ALCOM, Army, AEDC and others. She
encouraged the group when they went back to conventions next year the CD could be updated
with music throughout. She reminded the group that as Cannelos and Mulder pointed out, it's
very high tech at these conventions. (Mee's trip report on AFA is appended to these minutes
as Attachment 4).
MEE also thanked the legislative members of the committee for serving on the committee,
which she considers most important, and to Matt Gill, Rep. Mulder, General and Mrs. Cannelos,
and her husband for their help at the convention.
MEE addressed the Citizens' Advisory Board members and thanked them for wanting to be
involved; she thanked Tom Morgan once again for helping her out by offering to host the
luncheon today. Mee pointed out that the JASC ought to be looking toward corporate people
doing business with the military in Alaska to put on the CAB to assist with items like hosting
CODEL visits and making outside visits. She encouraged the CAB members to talk with each
other to come up with ideas of what they think they should be doing and get those ideas to the
JASC members and staff.
MEE mentioned the ROTC booth at the AFA. That person had emailed General Cannelos asking
assistance in looking for training areas for hundreds of ROTC students each year. Mee and
Cannelos will follow through on that. It is that type of attracting young, potential military leaders
to learn about Alaska that's so important to the State.
MEE also mentioned the White Paper concept. While the JASC staff has not produced one yet,
she understands that Vakalis and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce have this on its agenda
and encouraged him to work with JASC member Tom Case and Pat Gamble (both retired
ALCOM commanders who had both prepared white papers while in command here). Mee added
that last November Janice Nielsen had brought GUAM's White Paper, prepared by the Chambers
of Commerce and local governments, to our attention. An effort like that, worked on by the
Chambers, the military and the State would have us all talking off the same sheet of music in
keeping the military units we have and attracting additional units.
MEE mentioned the DC reception that has been talked about in the past, that Senator Stevens,
while thinking it is a great idea it should be expanded far beyond just military. So perhaps this
Committee could work with other entities such as mining, oil & gas, fishing, education, tourism,
to sponsor a reception that would attract decision makers. You have to have a big draw to attract
legislators back there to receptions.
Mee then requested permission to be "piped ashore".
CO-CHAIR MULDER mentioned when Chris Nelson slid from this committee to National
Missile Defense, the co-chairmen knew it would be difficult to replace him and twisted Barb
Mee's arms for about 6 months to take the job. (Barb Mee interjected that she only took the job
cause her cat died, to which Co-Chairman Wilken said he shot it - to which Co-Chair Mulder
thanked him - much laughter…). Mulder expressed his heart felt thanks to Mee for her efforts.
CO-CHAIR MULDER mentioned that he and Co-Chair Wilken, because the legislative session
was coming to a close, would like to present certificates to the JASC members thanking them for
service this past session. Certificates were presented to: Senator Loren Leman, Representatives
Lisa Murkowski, Jeannette James, John Harris, and non-legislative members Tom Case, George
Cannelos, Jake Lestenkof, Dean Owen and Chick Wallace; and out-going member George
Vakalis. Those who were not in attendance (Senators Bettye Davis, Randy Phillips, Ben
Stevens, and Rep. Reggie Joule, and non-legislative member Frank Love) will receive their
certificates in the mail.
CO-CHAIR MULDER then addressed the Citizens Advisory Board members, reminding them
that it was Senator Kelly's idea that because the JASC was limited to a certain number of
members, he felt the JASC could augment its membership with community members. Mulder
wanted to allow the CAB some time to give us their perspective on things the JASC has done
right, wrong, or things it should be doing.
CAB member, CHRIS GATES, brought several items to members' attention including
marketing our training areas to other than Department of Defense forces and that JASC should
direct its attention to professors at War Colleges and provide copy of our CD to them.
CHRIS GATES also thought that Glen Glenzer, retired Navy Captain and Director of Port of
Anchorage, should be brought on to the CAB, as well as representatives from ARRC and CSX.
(Gates offered to work on his proposals and has been asked for a memo outlining his
suggestions for the record.)
CAB member MEAD TREADWELL, who works with the Institute of the North, told
membership he'd provided a memorandum that was placed in their packets. (Treadwell's memo
has been appended to these minutes as Attachment 5.) Treadwell discussed the
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Threat - what it is and what's currently happening with EMP and
that an EMO Commission was created by Congress in 2000 to assess the threat of an EMO
attack on the U.S. Treadwell indicated the Institute of the North is willing to assist JASC, if it
desires to tackle these issues.
CAB member DAVE LEWIS again thanked Co-Chair Mulder and Barb Mee for meeting with
him and Scott Marcy. Scott has just returned from AUSA convention in DC and is enthused
about working with JASC next year on having booth at AUSA. Lewis thinks that Scott Marcy
would be a good addition to the CAB for his individual knowledge plus corporate sponsorship
dollars he might bring forth.
CAB member LANCE HERRINGTON and JASC Member CHICK WALLACE mentioned
possibility of placing full page ads in annual publications put out by AUSA and AFA that would
discuss Alaska's strategic location, showing the Alaska Advantage.
CO-CHAIR MULDER suggested that Herrington gather the necessary information to place ads
in those publications and perhaps at January meeting it could be discussed again.
BARB MEE asked the question of General Case if this advertising would be beneficial to the
DoD decision makers.
GENERAL TOM CASE said he thought it would be beneficial as the AFA publication is an in-
house publication and very widely read.
CO-CHAIR MULDER indicated we might want to include in any such ads the most recent
brochure put together by the Chambers showing the mileage from Alaska's bases to major hot
spots - as opposed to distances from Lower 48 bases.
BARB MEE asked George Vakalis if he had talked with anyone at ALCOM to see if ALCOM
might include the new information he'd used to update its strategic map. Vakalis said he hadn't,
but confirmed the information he used in brochures was correct.
CAB member ROGER SCHNELL offered that it would make sense for CAB members to meet
and formulate issues before each JASC meeting.
CO-CHAIR MULDER indicated that as the JASC has evolved, it's taken most of the energy to
keep the full committee going. Mulder felt valuable information can be obtained from CAB
members and it will have to evolve over time how best to gather that information.
JANICE NIELSEN from USARPAK mentioned that if the committee were ever to travel to
Hawaii again she would get invitations from PACOM, Air Force, and Marines to visit for
briefings. Nielsen also mentioned that the USARAK change of command would be taking place
th
on Monday, November 4, when General Smith would be replaced by General Campbell.
Nielsen was also encouraged by JASC participation at the AFA convention and encouraged its
participation at AUSA next year. (October 6 - 8, 2003)
NIELSEN concurred with Mee's and Stevens' assessment that if JASC is to host a reception in
DC it would need a draw. She mentioned one of best receptions she'd attended had been a joint
Northwest one - in which Alaska, Washington and Idaho joined together. She said with close
relationship between Senators Inouye and Stevens we might want to consider having a joint
Alaska/Hawaii reception in DC.
CO-CHAIR MULDER thanked Nielsen for her comments and asked that she extend our best to
General Smith at the Change of Command.
CO-CHAIR MULDER said as last order of business before departing for briefings would be
discussion of new members for Citizens Advisory Board. Glenn Glenzer and Scott Marcy's
names had been given.
REP. LISA MURKOWSKI asked if we had a list of current members. Barb Mee offered she
would again provide the names of CAB members and encouraged when folks were suggesting
names for the CAB that names, addresses, contact phone numbers and email addresses be
provided as well as a background on who each proposed member is.
REP. LISA MURKOWSKI suggested that Pat Gamble from ARRC would be a good member.
It was discussed whether Pat Gamble's name should be submitted or if the Alaska Railroad and
CSX should be contacted to see who they would like to put on the Citizens Advisory Board.
CO-CHAIR WILKEN then moved that Glenn Glenzer and Scott Marcy from Anchorage and
Dennis Schlotfeldt and Billie Blanchard from Fairbanks be named to the Citizens Advisory
Board. It was approved.
CO-CHAIR WILKEN then said that Chris Gates will contact ARRC and CSX about having a
member appointed to CAB.
CO-CHAIR MULDER lastly mentioned that the Armed Services YMCA Salute to the Military
will be held in Anchorage February 21, 2003, that he had agreed to be Honorary Chairman of the
Salute and that Admiral Fargo, CINCPACOM, will be guest speaker.
1:50 p.m. The meeting was adjourned to be reconvened at the Reeves Center, Headquarters,
Elmendorf AFB.
2:00 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at the Reeves Center. Welcoming comments were made
by LT. GEN. HOWIE CHANDLER, COMMANDER ALCOM. Chandler took command of
ALCOM on 30 September, 2002
CAPT. GARY KLINK, DIRECTOR FOR PLANS AND POLICY, ALASKAN
COMMAND, gave the first briefing on US Northern Command. NORTHCOM is a regional
unified command for homeland defense, situated at Peterson AFB, Colorado, commanded by
General Eberhart. Countries in its Area of Responsibilities include Canada, the USA, Mexico,
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Bahamas, the Virgin Islands. Alaska is in the AOR, but Alaskan forces
remain assigned to U.S. Pacific Command.
Included in US Northcom's Mission are:
Conduct operations to deter, prevent and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the
United States, its territories and interests within the assigned AOR;
As directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, provide military assistance to civil
authorities including consequence management operations.
Military Assistance to Civil Authorities is a three-tier response process:
Support
- help with planning, coordination, organization of communications;
- information sharing
- special equipment.
What NORTHCOM does not do is to act as a police auxiliary nor take the lead over federal state
or local agencies.
NORTHCOM and Alaska
transparent transition;
no change in forces/ infrastructure;
continued relationship w/US Pacific Command and NORAD;
evolving relationship with NORTHCOM;
NORAD and Homeland Defense
3 NORAD Regions perform the Air Defense Mission:
Canadian (CANR)
CONUS (CONR)
Alaska (ANR)
There is interagency cooperation among Alaskan Command HQ; the U.S. Departments of
Justice and Treasury; Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, State of Alaska and
the Alaska National Guard.
Challenges of Northcom are:
adequate radar coverage throughout CONUS & Alaska
Common Operational picture between NORAD and FAA
Intelligence fusion
Develop missile defense operational concepts
Joint and interagency interoperability
Real-time, continuous threat assessment
Define and provide adequate resources
Streamlined civil response and support
Opportunities of Northcom are:
Clear route to additional resources
Defined capabilities
Clear doctrinal relationships
Solidified interagency process
National level visibility
GEORGE FRUSHOUR, COMMAND MISSILE DEFENSE REPRESENTATIVE, gave the
next briefing.
Missile Defense - Frushour said the current status calls for ground-based midcourse extended test
range (ETR) by 30 September 2004 test bed activation.
Ground based interceptor construction activities are on schedule at Fort Greely and six silos were
completed in August. Work is underway on satellite and interceptor communications terminals.
All construction is on track at Eareckson Air Station at the satellite and interceptor
communications facilities, site activation facilities and Cobra Dane upgrade is 35% design
complete. At Kodiak Island, alternatives are being evaluated.
CY2003 GMD Activities call for:
Fort Greely - Complete facilities and begin installation of equipment;
Eareckson Air Station - Begin power plant upgrade; finalize agreement for required
support by the current support contractor; and construct satellite and interceptor
communications facilities; and
Kodiak - complete environmental impact statement.
There are still environmental issues at Eareckson (xband radar - land or sea-based; air permit
required by mid-summer 03; resolve over-budget bid for power plan upgrade;
At Fort Greely - preparing possible update to environmental assessment for eventual public
comment;
Kodiak - awaiting decision on Environmental Impact Statement;
Operational issues include a decision on homeport for sea-based x-band radar; and transition MD
mission assignment to US Northcom.
MAJOR COLIN MOENING provided the next briefing on the Elmendorf C-17 bed down.
By March 07, eight C-17s will start arriving at Elmendorf to replace 517 Airlift Squadron C-
130s. All eight should arrive by April 07. The active duty unit and Air force Reserve
Component associate unit will be affected. The projected C-17 manpower is 736. The C-130
positions lost will be 697 - for a change in plus 39 positions.
Separate active duty and reserve components squadrons will share aircraft and facilities. There
will be a combined, one team maintenance facility. A weapon system trainer (aircraft simulator)
will be located at Elmendorf and the regional maintenance trainer at McChord AFB,
Washington.
For a total construction price of approximately $120 - In FY05 construction will begin on a C-17
maintenance complex; fuel cell maintenance hangar; C-17 flight simulator and non-destructive
inspection facility. In FY06 construction will begin on AFRC group headquarters; airfield
pavement; engine/parts storage; and survival equipment.
Challenges facing the bedding down of the C-17s include use of existing facilities/pavement
when possible to minimize cost impact; Options for access to Long Range Radar sites -
including 144 airlift squadron (AKANG); retain some C-130s; and commercial contractor; and
consider impacts to base infrastructure.
Elmendorf is not just using C17s to "get well" - but we will use them to integrate with other
system. Questions were asked about possibility of basing F22s here. Langley AFB will receive
the first F22s and decision's not been made as yet as whether Alaska will receive units or not.
nd
Sometime this summer (of 2003) we will know where 2 bed down will be.
GENERAL CHANDLER mentioned he will be meeting soon with former Governor Sheffield,
now Director of Port, concerning any proposed transportation changes that would affect
Elmendorf's runway approach.
MAJOR GENERAL JOHN BROWN, COMMANDING GENERAL USARAK, then gave
an update on the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). .
Department of Army presently has plans for a total of six Stryker Brigade Combat Teams
(SBCT) to be deployed. The one that will be deployed to Alaska - number three - will be here
in 2003 - 2004). A SBCT includes 293 Stryker vehicles.
USARAK's vision is to provide combatant commanders rapidly deployable, initial and early
entry forces capable of winning across the entire spectrum of conflict. Transformation is much
larger than the SBCT; it is changing USARAK to a Train, Alert, Deploy readiness standard.
The Stryker Brigade Combat Team should be successfully certified in May 05 and the SBCT
st
based at Ft. Wainwright, prepared to deploy, fight and win year round. The 501 Airborne Task
Force (ABN TF) based at Ft. Richardson, capable of Forced Entry Operations and other
contingency missions. USARAK Garrison Command organized, trained and prepared to support
SBCT, ABN TF and or support unit deployments at Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) standards year
round. HQ USARAK trained and prepared to command and control deployment of all USARAK
forces at RRF standards year round.
There is an expected increase of personnel growth from transformation of 172 SIB to SBCT.
Questions and comments centered around additional housing necessary at Fort Wainwright and
how units and training will be dealt with until that housing is available; Alaska's strategic
location (5645 miles to Saudi Arabia; 3466 miles to Korea, 4846 miles to Philippines and 3997
miles to Germany); in addition to the available training areas available in Alaska, answer the
question as to WHY ALASKA in basing a SBCT here.
GENERAL CHANDLER. In closing remarks, mentioned necessity for usable dorm space to
house visiting units participating in our Cope Thunder and Northern Edge exercises. In the
summer we have 400 to 500 hundred visitors participating in these exercises anywhere from 8
weeks to two months a year. This is an on-going need that must be addressed.
CO-CHAIRMEN ELDON MULDER AND GARY WILKEN thanked General Chandler,
General Brown and Colonel Remkes for taking the time to brief the members of the Joint Armed
Services Committee and its Citizens Advisory Board members.
CO-CHAIR MULDER mentioned the Legislature would be inviting Lt.Gen. Chandler to
address the Legislature after it convenes in January and that would be a good opportunity for the
entire legislature to be updated on the status of forces in Alaska.
There being nothing further to be brought before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at
4:15 p.m.
Trip Report
Air Force Association 2002 National Convention
Washington D.C.
"The Global War on Terrorism - the Air Force responds"
September 16-20, 2002
Mary Lu and I joined Rep Eldon Mulder, Barbara & Vince Mee and Matt Gill as part of
the Alaska Legislature's Joint Armed Services Committee at the AFA convention. Our
goal, through a booth at the exposition, and through individual meetings, was to market
Alaska to our nation's military. To back up our arguments on strategic location,
expansive joint training areas, an environment for innovation and experimentation, and a
unique civil-military relationship, we showed videos and slides, and passed out brochures
from ALCOM and the Anchorage Chamber.
To our knowledge, this was the first time a state has exhibited at a national military
convention. Our message was positive and the effort was worthwhile. JASC should
partner, refine and repeat the effort.
Some collective ideas for next time:
· The booth was an excellent draw to engage participants from all ranks into
discussions about the importance of Alaska for the military. We definitely should
repeat the effort next year, or at other conventions, such as the Army's.
· Partner the effort, especially with ALCOM, the Chambers of Anchorage,
Chugiak-Eagle River, and Fairbanks, ACVP, perhaps the airport and Port of
Anchorage, etc.
· For an inexpensive, but effective handout, produce a thin mouse pad with the
Alaska Advantage map on it
We met many heroes, including survivors of the Pentagon attack (Mary Lu's cousin
David Nanney), a B-29 top turret gunner in the India-Burma-China theater, Carl Beck,
and a retired AF navigator who had been interned with his family from San Francisco,
Ken Nishiyama.
Leaders contacted and their comments:
· Senator Ted Stevens
o many leaders know and put into action the Alaska Advantage, but
leadership is transitory, and we need to keep repeating the message
o recommended we not attempt a military-related "Alaska Day", but work to
prepare a broad based assembly of Alaskan industries and interests.
· Undersecretary of the Army, Les Brownlee
o I'm concerned the Stryker brigade slated for Alaska is still not a "done
deal", and I asked whether the concept was on Secretary Rumsfield list of
programs which may not be transformational enough. Brownlee was
confident the program was solid, but acknowledged that anything could
happen.
o his unexpected responsibility includes the Corps of Engineers. He says he
understands the differences between wetlands in the lower 48 and Alaska.
· NASA Administrator, Shawn O'Keefe
o huge fan of Alaska; he might come north for a Kodiak launch
o instead of a mere courtesy call, he gave us 90 minutes; raised the bar on
hosting visitors
· Gen Donald Cook, Commander, Air Education & Training Command
o supports the transition of Clear AFS mission to the Alaska ANG
· Gen Lester Lyles, Commander, AF Materials Command
· LTG Joesph H. Wehrle Jr., Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, USAF
o Accompanied air attaches to Alaska last week
o Strongly supports blended units (active, guard, reserve) for the future
o AF is fixing vexing legal issues preventing seamless service (e.g. title 32/
title 10 issues) between actives and guardsmen
o When AF looks at BRAC - they need ranges, runways, ramps, (and
community relationships)
o Wehrle was the last commander of Mather AFB in Sacramento. He cited
the importance of community relationships. The Mayor of the city had
chained herself to the base fence as a candidate, declaring she didn't care
about the military. The AF closed Mather AFB, McClellen AFB and the
AF depots!
o Strongly supports the C-17 in Alaska; get strategic lift near the troops
· LTG Don Peterson (ret), AFA President
· LTG Daniel James III, Director, ANG
· LTG Russ Davis, former Chief of the National Guard Bureau
· LTG James E. Sherrard, Chief of the Air force Reserves
o He will oversee Air Force Reserve involvement in the C-17 at Elmendorf
· MG Ron Bath, AF/XPX
o good friend and ANG officer in charge of strategic planning for the Air
Force; thinks AKANG should go for blended units, such as 767 tankers at
Eielson
· MG Howard Cross, MS ANG/CC
o in charge of C-17's at Jackson; disappointed Alaska ANG chose not to
participate in C-17's in Alaska
· MG Chesnut, Army Operations Center
o DOMS (Director of Military Support). Army has 8 domestic missions as
the executive agent, including "chicken depopulation"
o New map of worldwide command relationships shows Alaska with a
striped barberpole - doctrine may be evolving…but they say all Alaskan
forces still report to PACOM, but homeland security forces (like the
Alaska NORAD region) will report to NORTHCOM.
o Army now has 41,000 troops in 62 countries; more than 37 major
deployments since 1989.
· MG Jim Lovelace
· MG (ret) Paul Weaver
· Brig Gen Ron Mielke, Assistant AG-Air, South Dakota
· Brig Gen Charles Baldwin, Deputy, Chief of the Chaplain Service, USAF
· Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Alford L. McMichael
o Very inspirational leader; young Marines are in good hands
o Tells kids to stay on the freeway of life; don't fall for the tempting exit
ramps; the journey is delayed, or you can't get back on
· Scott Rice, Deputy Chief of Staff, NASA
· John D. Schumacher, Associate Administrator for External Affairs, NASA
· F. Whitten Peters, former Secretary of the Air Force
· Maureen Ramsay, Army Public Affairs
· Darlene Rose-Barge, Special Events Coordinator, Air & Space Museum
· The Alaska AFA delegation, including Steve Lungren, Jacqueline S. Burdette,
etc.
Remarks by General John P. Jumper, AF Chief of Staff:
st
· 1 air drop into Camp Rhino, Afghanistan, was the deepest inland insertion by
Marines ever
· F-15s and 16's from Kuwait reached the fight with 14-15 hour missions
· Special Operations - horseback with GPS
· Tankers - routine - only AF in the world that can do it
· Great space and information warrior contributions - can't talk about it
· AF has been in transformation since 1989; demand is up 400%, while resources
are down 40%
· The AEF is the AF; 247,000 out of 356,000 people are on mobility orders, not
counting AFRES
· Developing CONOPS is more important than developing programs
· FA-22 Raptor essential. FB-22 (two seater) under consideration
· Jumper wants all squadron commanders to be prepared to lead combat the first
night
· Support group commanders must be prepared to command large tent cities
· (implies he wants more stovepipes; maintainers will command maintenance
squadrons, for example)
Special Operations debrief - Washington state trooper is an AFRES combat controller.
Spent several months in Afghanistan. Predator was the point man guiding them into and
out of harms way.
LTG Daniel James:
· How will ANG "ensure domestic tranquility and provide for the common
defense?"
· Disconnect - originally conceived as a responsive force; now we're a
sustainment force
· TAGs appointed by Governor's, (D.C. by President, Vermont by legislature,
South Carolina by election). 34 Army, 20 Air.
· ANG does 34% of the AF mission with just 7.2% of the AF budget
· Challenges of the next 4 years - transformation with budget and end strength
limitations, BRAC, Defense Planning Guidance, Tradespace, etc.
George J. Cannelos
Director, Heritage Land Bank
Member, Joint Armed Services Committee (for Mayor Wuerch)
343-4337
TRIP REPORT
NAID ANNUAL CONFERENCE
CHARLESTON, S.C.
AUGUST 3 - 6 2002
¨At the request of the Joint Armed Services Committee I traveled to Charleston S.C., August 2
thru 6, 2002, to attend the annual conference of the National Association of Installation
Developers (NAID). This organization was established to assist communities involved in the
economic development, conversion, and reuse of military real estate. Today, in addition to
assisting communities affected by base closure and realignment, NAID is the leading source of
information concerning future actions of the Department of Defense (DOD) to close or realign
additional installations.
¨The Department of Defense continues to re-evaluate what forces are necessary to face today's
threat, and what installations are necessary to house and support those forces. Many of the issues
discussed at the winter conference are still valid and were discussed again in detail at the annual
conference.
¨BRAC is not about reducing military capability, but rather about improving military efficiency.
Many of the installations affected by previous BRAC rounds were left over from threat eras that
required totally different force structures. The end of the Cold War has caused the DOD to
reevaluate what forces are necessary to face today's threat and what installations are necessary to
house and support those forces. There have been four previous BRAC rounds (1988, 1991, 1993
1995) resulting in the closure and/or realignment of approximately 150 military installations.
These actions have saved the military about $16.7 billion already and are expected to generate
more than $6 billion a year in future savings. Previous BRAC rounds made the "easy" closures
and future decisions will be much more difficult. In general, previous BRAC rounds have left
"maneuver" installations basically unscathed.
¨In 2002 the U.S. Congress amended the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990
(part A of title XXIX of {Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note) that authorized another
round of realignments and closures of military installations in 2005. The DOD is stating that
with the approximately 400 remaining active installations there is currently 25% excess capacity.
¨As part of the justification for the budget submitted to Congress in support of the Department
of Defense for fiscal year 2005, the Secretary of Defense (Sec Def) must include the following:
"(A) A force-structure plan for the Armed Forces based on an assessment by the Secretary of
probable threats to the national security during the 20-year period beginning with fiscal year
2005, the probable end-strength levels and major military force units (including land force
divisions, carrier and other major combatant vessels, air wings, and other comparable units)
needed to meet these threats, and the anticipated levels of funding that will be available for
national defense purposes during such period.
(B) A comprehensive inventory of military installations worldwide for each military department,
with specifications of the number and type of facilities in the active and reserve forces of each
military department."
¨The list of installations recommended for closure or realignment must be published in the
Federal Register NLT May 16, 2005. There are several actions that must be taken, and much
information to be gathered prior to the list being finalized:
·Each branch of Service is required to submit, to DOD, a list of installations they would
like to see closed. The Secretary of Defense evaluates the list for "Joint ness" issues then
combines the lists and forwards them to the BRAC Commission. As in previous rounds,
a BRAC Commission will make the recommendations for closure or realignment that are
sent to the Congress and the President. The commission, in theory, insulates local
politicians and reduces political influence.
·NLT December 31, 2003 the Secretary of Defense must publish in the Federal Register
the proposed criteria for recommending closure or realignment. While the Secretary has
some leeway in establishing the selection criteria, the legislation authorizing the 2005
round of base closures or realignments contains specific language concerning criteria that
must be used in making recommendations for closure or realignment:
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS - The selection criteria for military installations shall
also address at a minimum the following:
1. The extent and timing of potential costs and savings, including the number of
years, beginning with the date of completion of the closure or realignment, for
the savings to exceed the costs.
2. The economic impact on existing communities in the vicinity of military
installations.
3. The ability of both existing and potential receiving communities'
infrastructure to support forces, missions, and personnel.
4. The impact of costs related to potential environmental restoration, waste
management, and environmental compliance activities.
·Using the established selection criteria, the Commission evaluates the DOD list.
They make visits to the selected installations and take public testimony from each
affected community. They may add or delete from the DOD based on their
research.
·The Commission must transmit their findings and conclusions to the President NLT
September 8, 2005. The President must accept or reject the list in its entirety. If rejected
the list is returned to the Commission.
·The President must transmit approval and certification of the closure/realignment
list to the Congress NLT November 7, 2005.
NOTE: A BRAC 2005 Chronology is attached at the end of this report.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
Listed below are several talking points which surfaced as major factors in the next round of
closures and realignments.
¨ The DOD will play a much stronger role in the 2005 BRAC process due to the
personality of the Secretary of Defense.
¨ Military Value will be the overarching evaluation criteria.
¨ Encroachment will be a major factor in evaluation process.
¨ DOD recommends installations to be closed.
¨ BRAC Commission makes final selection.
¨ Number of Commissioners increased from seven to nine.
¨ Commissioners are appointed by President with "advice and consent" of Congress.
¨ Secretary of Defense has option to place installations in a caretaker status.
¨ Communities should do preparation prior to the publishing of the list of recommended
closures.
·Organize to address issues
°JASC is the vehicle for statewide issues
°Communities must also organize individually
·Know congressional and military players
·Research web site (www.hqda.army.mil/acsimweb/brac/braco.htm)
·Attend NAID conferences
·Research Commissioners background
·Visit Commission staff
¨ MILITARY VALUE
·Military Value will be the overarching evaluation criteria.
·The passage listed below is a quote from the Defense Authorization Bill
that authorizes the 2005 BRAC Round.
"The selection criteria prepared by the Secretary shall ensure that military value is the primary
consideration in the making of recommendations for the closure or realignment of military
installations under this part in 2005. Military Value shall include at a minimum the following:
(1) Preservation of training areas suitable for maneuver by ground, naval or
air forces to guarantee future availability of such areas to ensure the
readiness of the Armed Forces.
(2) Preservation of military installations in the United States as staging areas
for the use of the Armed forces in homeland defense missions.
(3) Preservation of military installations throughout a diversity of climate and
terrain areas in the United States for training purposes.
(4) The impact on joint war fighting, training, and readiness.
(5) Contingency, mobilization, and future total force requirements at both
existing and potential receiving locations to support operations and
training."
¨Listed below are examples of Military Value factors:
·Square miles of range space
·Encroachment
·Ability of units to train to mission
·Ability to fire full suite of assigned weapon systems
¨ NEW FACTOR IN 2005 ROUND:
· In the 2005 BRAC round the Secretary of Defense has the discretion to place a base in an
inactive (caretaker) status if he determines:
The installation may be needed in the future
Retention is in the best interest of the United States
NOTE: This option would probably be used if the costs for environmental clean-up are
extremely high. This is the worst-case scenario because the community would lose any
opportunity for economic development of the closed facility.
¨ BRAC COMMISSION:
·The BRAC Commission is independent and non-partisan.
·Nine members appointed by the President with advice and consent of the
Congress.
ªThree members appointed by the President
ªTwo members appointed by President in consultation with the
Speaker of the House.
ªTwo members appointed by President in consultation with the Senate
Majority Leader.
ªOne member appointed by President in consultation with the
Minority Leader
ªOne member appointed by President in consultation with the House
Minority Leader
·Mr. Al Cornella, of South Dakota was appointed as a Commissioner during the
1995 BRAC round. He was very candid with his remarks concerning the philosophy of
the Commission he served on. His very helpful comments have been condensed in the
following "bullets."
ªCommissioners take their responsibilities very seriously. Their
purpose is to improve the efficiency of DOD.
ªCommissioners are strongly lobbied by members of Congress.
ªPolitics play a big part until the list is published.
ªThe Commission resents political shenanigans after the list is
published.
ªEven though Commissioners are not appointed until late in the
process, the large staff is assembled soon after another round of closure is
announced.
ªThe Commission staff contains three teams: Service Team;
Interagency Team; Cross Service Team.
ªAs soon as the Commission is appointed, communities should study
their background.
ªCommunities should organize as soon as a new closure round is
announced.
ªCommunities should know defense specialists on Congressional
members staff, and visit them.
ªCommunities should visit DOD and the appropriate service.
ªThe Military Value of an installation is all-important!
ªStatewide strategies are not important to commissioners.
ªInstallations are compared to all installations with like missions.
ªEconomic Impact on the community does not play heavily on
decisions.
ªAt least one Commissioner will visit every installation considered for
closure.
ªCommissioners are provided a briefing book concerning the
installations visited. They will be comparing the installation to the
selection criteria.
ªCommunities should visit the Commission staff early. Do not wait for
commissioners to be appointed!
ªCommunity leaders should be present during the Commissioner's
visit.
ªCommunities should speak with one voice.
ªAffected communities have an opportunity for public testimony.
ªCommissioners want to hear from the community.
ªAny data provided to the Commission must be accurate, as all
testimony becomes public record.
ªLocally elected leaders should definitely testify.
ªDo not have members of Congressional Delegation or Consultants
testify at community meetings.
ªConsultants can be valuable in assisting communities prepare case
against closure.
ªThe Commission does not deal with re-use issues.
ªBe alert, as the list will change as installations are deleted and/or added.
ªIt is difficult to get an installation taken off the list.
ªIn the 2005 round seven of nine commissioners will be required to add
an installation to the closure list.
ªThe Commission does not consider environmental clean-up costs.
ªThe Commission does not consider new military construction.
¨ENCROACHMENT:
Encroachment has evolved from an "inconvenience" to the civilian population, to a
"readiness" issue for the military. Major encroachment issues lead to constraints on
training and readiness and are a major factor in closure and realignment actions.
The Department of Defense is working with the National Governors Association and
State Legislators to encourage statewide planning to prevent encroachment at military
installations.
The root cause of encroachment is urban growth. Encroachment takes many form, such
as: noise; access; ambient light; lasers, etc. Local governments should meet with the
Development Community and make them aware of the potential results of encroachment.
Additionally, the Environmental Protection acts are hindering the ability of the services
to train to their assigned missions. The Environmental Industry is using the Clean Air
Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act as tools against the military.
Three hundred (300) of three hundred sixty (360) endangered species reside on military
installations.
PRIVATIZATION:
yThe Department of Defense is using privatization as a method for cutting the costs
of operating military installations and generating revenues to public agencies. The
privatization of utility grids is the major method of reducing operating costs. The use of
excess public facilities/real estate in conjunction with private investors is a visionary way
to generate revenue to public agencies.
ORGANIZING FOR BRAC:
¨ What can communities do to improve the military value of their DOD installations?
·Stay engaged with installation leaders
°Know their concerns
°Address concerns where possible
°Have they received adequate funding?
°Have they received changes to mission?
·Evaluate installation against 1995 selection criteria
·Evaluate against installations with similar mission
·Reduce encroachment
·Review local zoning ordinances
°Identify major problems
°Implement new protective ordinances if appropriate
°Meet with development community to discuss the danger of
encroachment.
°What private/public relationships can be formed?
·Reduce O&M costs
°What functions could be privatized to save money?
· Have a person, or persons monitoring and tracking BRAC issues such as:
°Progress of legislation
°Organization of BRAC staff
°Establishment of selection criteria
°Selection of Commissioners
°Plan visits to DOD, Services, and Commission Staff
¨ Preparation for the Future:
·Who will military commanders be?
·Who will community leaders be?
·Who will be in the Legislature and Congress?
¨ If an installation appears on the list, the community should prepare to challenge the
Commission.
·Review "data call" information provided by the military
·Prepare for Commissioner visit and public testimony
·Community leaders must talk, not the Congressional Delegation, or
consultants
·Talk mission and money to close
·Ensure all data provided is accurate.
BRAC 2005 CHRONOLOGY
FY 2003: Secretary of Defense (Sec Def) prepares Force Structure Plan, Assessing probable
threats to national security through 2025.
NLT Dec 31, 2003: Publication by Secretary of Defense in Federal Register of proposed criteria for
recommending closure or realignment.
NLT Jan 30, 2004: End of 30-day public comment period on proposed criteria.
Jan/Feb 2004: Submission to Congress of President's Defense Budget for FY 2005, including Force
Structure Plan, inventory of military installations, analysis of installation infrastructure
necessary to support Force Structure Plan and certification as to need for closure or
realignment.
NLT 60 days after
Sec Def Certification: Comptroller General submits to Congress evaluation of Force structure Plan,
infrastructure inventory and final selection criteria.
NLT Feb 16, 2004: Secretary of Defense publishes final selection criteria.
NLT Mar 15, 2004: Last date for Act of Congress disapproving criteria.
NLT Mar 15, 2005: President submits to Senate nominations for appointment to Base Closure Commission.
NLT May 16, 2005: Secretary of Defense publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to Congressional
Defense Committees installations recommended for closure or realignment.
NLT July 1, 2005: Comptroller General Report analyzing Secretary of Defense recommendations and
selection process transmitted t Congressional Defense Committees.
NLT Aug 23, 2005: Last date to provide Secretary of Defense with 15 day, Notice of Consideration to add
an installation for closure or realignment.
NLT Sep 8, 2005: Commission report with Findings and Conclusions transmitted to the President.
NLT Sep 23, 2005: President approves or disapproves Commissions recommendations.
NLT Oct 20, 2005: Commission transmits revised list to President, if the President has, by Sep 23, 2005,
disapproved commission's Findings and Conclusions.
NLT Nov 7, 2005: Last date for President to transmit approval and certification to Congress.
NLT Apr 15, 2006: Commission Authority terminates.
END OF YEAR REPORT TO JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 1, 2002 MEETING
BARB MEE, STAFF
JASC Goes High Tech:
JASC website http://www.akrepublicans.org/22ndleg/jointarms.shtml
I hope you've added this to your favorites us a quick link not only to us - but the military
sites we list. You can click on Committee Minutes - give it our ASC code - date
parameters and call up any minutes of this committee.
Additionally, the CD we used at the Air Force Association Convention, put together by
Mulder staffer Matt Gill, was mailed to members. While our presentation was put
together at the last minute, this is definitely the item to prepare for future events. It's relatively
inexpensive and gets their attention.
Membership of Public Members: (Enabling language in folders)
To refresh your memories, and for the record, the JASC took action this past summer to
stagger the terms of all public members. With exception of Frank Love, appointed in 2001,
these three-year terms all expired July 1, 2002.
Action was taken to deal this year with the slots held by Lestenkof, Wallace and
Vakalis; leaving the slots filled by Owen & Hoyt to expire July 1, 2003; and the one
filled by Frank Love on July 1, 2004.
By a draw, it was also decided that the slot presently filled by Lestenkof would only be a
two year term ending in 2004, so that two public members slots would expire each year.
Solicitation letters were sent out and Chick Wallace and Jake Lestenkof were again
recommended and accepted; and retired Brig. Gen. George Cannelos was recommended and
accepted.
Sadly, we lost member John Hoyt on July 18, 2002. It was our good fortune to have
retired Lt. Gen. Tom Case recommended for that slot, and he consented to join our
Committee. Now that slot and the one held by Dean Owen will both expire July 1 2003.
To remind.. .per our enabling legislation the JASC solicits "recommendations" from various
entities on who shall be appointed to these committees; the JASC 'considers" the
recommendations before naming public members.
Membership of the Legislative Members:
The enabling legislation calls for five members of the senate and house, at least one of
whom from each body is a member of the minority, are to be appointed by the president
of the senate and speaker of the house. The legislative member serves for the duration of
the legislature during which the member is appointed. A legislator ceases to be a member
of the JASC if he ceases to be a member of the house or senate. I read this to mean that
all legislative members will have to be named or renamed by the Senate President and
Speaker of the House, after organization. The members leaving the Legislature are
Co-Chairman Mulder, Jeannette James, Senator Loren Leman and Randy Phillips.
Citizens Advisory Board Members- enabling language in folders
Sec. 24.20.675 (b) authorizes this Board and allows an unlimited number of members. It
would be beneficial if JASC Members and CAB members could establish a dialogue on
how to better utilize their expertise.
CAB member Tom Morgan, Ex. Dir. Of ASYMCA stepped up and offered to sponsor
today's year-end meeting luncheon. I know that not all CAB members represent groups
or businesses, but it's certainly appreciated when anyone connected with the JASC offers
a helping hand.
Accomplishments and Suggestions:
Biggest project undertaken this past year was attendance at the Air Force Association
Convention and high level meetings following. A copy of my report and that of George
Cannelos was forwarded to all members and hopefully you had time to read them.
(Copies will be attached to our committee meeting records) With volunteer help from
Mrs. Cannelos as well as my husband, and their covering their own transportation, total
cost of this feat was just over $6,000.
A mailing list of contacts was established and shared with the ACVB for tourism
purposes. If you're interested in receiving this list, let me know.
Chairman Myers appreciation letter thanking us for being there is in your folders.
This Committee should not back away from another venture such as this. I encourage the
Committee and whoever staffs the JASC to continue to be pro-active and positive on
what Alaska has to offer. It's more beneficial to combine resources, talent and
personnel of agencies such as the travel industry and the municipal governments. I have
met with Scott Marcy, president of the AUSA and he's expressed an interest of joining
forces next year.
Brochure Efforts
The JASC also paid for printing costs for two separate brochures, which were prepared
by the Anchorage and Fairbanks Chambers of Commerce - one to remind Alaska
residents the value of having the military here - and a second one to be used when
meeting with decision makers in Washington, D.C. I am unsure when these are going to
be distributed. Copies of those are in your folders - and on the back table and I would
encourage you to contact the chambers on how you might help distribute the ones going
to the citizens m your area - and talk up the importance of the military.
White Paper
Following last November's meeting discussions were had on the necessity of having a
White Paper- similar to what Guam prepared through it's Chambers and government
entities- to show the military and decision makers what Alaska has to offer and our
willingness to work with the military. While this effort never got off the ground, I believe
the Chambers are now talking about a possible While Paper. With the outstanding
white papers in existence done by one of our committee members, Tom Case, and Alaska
resident retired General Pat Gamble, perhaps our committee members will be able to
work with the Chambers to alleviate having to start from scratch.
Possible DC Event:
If a Washington DC reception for decision makers and legislators is to be pursued,
Senator Stevens suggested the best time is after Easter break. He feels however it should
deal with more than just the military, and should include everything we have to offer -oil
- gas - mining -fish - education - etc... An effort such as that could conceivably be as
big as Sister Cities - or Special Olympics. JASC may want to think about offering to
join with other groups such to help put on. Stevens pointed out that legislators and
decision makers are inundated with receptions - as our Juneau legislators can attest - so
any reception Alaska undertakes should be something pretty spectacular to draw
attendance.
Thanks for the opportunity to staff the Joint Armed Services Committee and I now
request permission to go ashore!!
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 77(FIN) am S
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION
BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Amended: 3/23/99
Offered: 3/5/99
Sponsor(s): REPRESENTATIVES MURKOWSKI, Foster, Kott, Harris, Mulder, Phillips, James, Croft,
Kemplen, Austerman
SENATORS Tim Kelly, Wilken, Miller, Donley, Leman, Mackie, Pearce, Pete Kelly
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
"An Act relating to the Joint Armed Services Committee, a permanent interim committee of
the Alaska State Legislature; and providing for an effective date."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
* Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that
(1) the Secretary of Defense, in both the Quadrennial Defense Review and the
Defense Reform Initiative, has called for the reestablishment of a Base Realignment and
Closure Commission to conduct two new rounds of military base closures;
(2) all military bases in Alaska are scheduled for review and evaluation for
potential placement on the closure list;
(3) the strategic location of the state's military bases, their unparalleled
training and maneuver areas, and their modern facilities represent an asset of unmatched
military value to the nation;
(4) the total economic value that the military adds to the state exceeds
$1,700,000,000 annually;
(5) any new base closure or realignment actions in the state would create
serious economic and socioeconomic effects for the communities where they are located;
(6) the closure of Adak Naval Air Facility and realignment of army activities
at Fort Greely by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission continue to create
challenges for communities committed to their productive reuse and integration into the
state's economy;
(7) the unprecedented proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
ballistic missiles constitutes a growing threat to the United States, which has begun to develop
a weapons system capable of defending the nation against ballistic missile attack;
(8) sites in Alaska are under consideration for the deployment of that system
that offer the unmatched military value of strategic location from which all 50 states can be
defended as required by the United States Constitution; and
(9) as our nation's armed forces continue to shift from a forward deployed
force based overseas to a power projection force stationed within the United States, Alaska's
modern bases, extensive training areas, and established tradition of joint operations between
the individual services offer the United States Department of Defense an unequaled location
to organize, train, and deploy the integrated forces the United States requires in the Twenty-
First Century.
* Sec. 2. AS 24.20 is amended by adding new sections to read:
Article 5. Joint Armed Services Committee.
Sec. 24.20.650. Joint Armed Services Committee established. (a) The
Joint Armed Services Committee is established as a permanent interim committee of
the legislature.
(b) The committee is composed of
(1) five members of the senate, at least one of whom is a member of
the minority, appointed by the president of the senate;
(2) five members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom
is a member of the minority, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(3) a state resident, other than a member of the state legislature, who is
appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives after considering the recommendations of the Alaska chapters of each
of the following organizations:
(A) the Association of the United States Army;
(B) the Air Force Association;
(C) the Navy League of the United States;
(D) the Marine Corps Association;
(4) a state resident, other than a member of the state legislature, who is
appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives after considering the recommendation of the Seventeenth Coast Guard
District Auxiliary;
(5) a state resident, other than a member of the state legislature, who is
appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives after considering the recommendation of the mayor of the Municipality
of Anchorage;
(6) a state resident, other than a member of the state legislature, who is
appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives after considering the recommendation of the mayor of the Fairbanks
North Star Borough;
(7) a state resident, other than a member of the state legislature, who is
appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives after considering the recommendation of the adjutant general of the
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and
(8) a state resident, other than a member of the state legislature, who is
appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives after considering the joint recommendations of the Alaska Federation
of Natives and the Alaska Municipal League.
Sec. 24.20.655. Terms of office; vacancies. (a) Each legislative member
serves for the duration of the legislature during which the member is appointed. Each
public member serves for three years. An individual who has served on the committee
may be reappointed.
(b) A legislator ceases to be a member of the Joint Armed Services Committee
if the legislator ceases to be a member of the house from which the legislator was
appointed. When a seat on the committee becomes vacant, it shall be filled within 30
days in the manner of the original appointment. An individual appointed to fill a
vacancy serves for the remainder of the term to which appointed.
Sec. 24.20.660. Travel and per diem allowances. Members of the Joint
Armed Services Committee are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses.
Members of the committee shall receive per diem allowances in accordance with the
policy adopted by the legislative council under AS 24.10.130(c).
Sec. 24.20.665. Meetings. (a) Eight members of the Joint Armed Services
Committee constitute a quorum.
(b) The committee members shall select one member from the senate and one
member from the house of representatives to serve as co-chairs of the committee.
(c) The committee may meet during sessions of the legislature and during
intervals between sessions at the times and places the co-chairs may determine.
Whenever possible, meetings shall be teleconferenced to reduce travel cost.
Sec. 24.20.670. Administration. The legislative council shall provide
administrative and other services to the Joint Armed Services Committee. Within the
limits of the amounts made available to the committee by the legislative council, the
committee may make expenditures and enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of
AS 24.20.650 - 24.20.675. Contracts must be approved by a majority of the members
of the committee and are otherwise subject to procedures adopted by the legislative
council under AS 36.30.020.
Sec. 24.20.675. Powers and duties. (a) The Joint Armed Services
Committee shall
(1) monitor the military base realignment and closure activities of the
federal government for bases in the state;
(2) work on specific realignments and closures proposed by the federal
government for bases in the state;
(3) work with the state's congressional delegation regarding federal
military base realignments and closings in the state;
(4) attend meetings and hearings related to federal realignments and
closures of military bases in the state and provide testimony as necessary;
(5) review the effect on the state and its communities of federal
realignments and closures of military bases in the state;
(6) monitor the development of the national ballistic missile defense
system and work with the congressional delegation of the state, other state and local
government organizations, and community groups to advocate and expedite the
deployment of the system in this state;
(7) investigate opportunities to increase joint and combined military
training in the state;
(8) advocate the stationing of reconfigured power projection forces at
bases located in the state; and
(9) prepare and submit a report of its activities to the legislature on the
first day of each second regular session.
(b) The committee may appoint a citizens' advisory board. Individuals
appointed to an advisory board may not receive reimbursement for travel expenses or
per diem allowances.
* Sec. 3. AS 24.20.650, 24.20.655, 24.20.660, 24.20.665, 24.20.670, and 24.20.675 are
repealed January 1, 2009.
* Sec. 4. Section 1 of this Act is repealed January 1, 2009.
* Sec. 5. Chapter 31, SLA 1998, is repealed.
* Sec. 6. This Act takes effect July 1, 1999.
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
Sen.-Tim Kelly. Co-Chair Rep. Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Sen. Drue Pearce Rep. Lisa Murkowski
Sen. Gary Wilken Rep. Gene Therriault
Sen. Pete Kelly Rep. John Har
Sen. Al Adams Rep. Reggie Joul
Sen. Loren Leman. Alternate Rep. Bill Hudson, Alternate
Public Members: Jake Lestenkof' John Hoyt • George Vakalis • Dean Owen • Alan Walker • Charles Wallace
JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD
1. AUTHORITY. Sec. 24.20.675 (b) authorizes the Joint Armed Services Committee to
appoint a Citizens' Advisory Board.
2. MISSION STATEMENT. The Citizens' Advisory Board's mission is to advise the
members of the Joint Armed Services Committee on state policies and programs
which will:
a. ensure and encourage the continued well being and education of members of the
Armed Forces, both active and reserve components, stationed in the state, including
the Alaska National Guard and State Defense Force, and their dependents.
b. develop Alaska's unique assets to support and strengthen our National Defense.
3. ACTIVITIES. The Citizens' Advisory Board carries out its mission by making
recommendations on suggested, existing or pending state legislation, regulations,
administration policy, and the budget.
a. The Joint Armed Services Committee will convene at least one general meeting of
the Citizens' Advisory Board each year to review military issues and solicit
suggestions for action by the Legislature. Because Advisory Board members are
statutorily barred from receiving reimbursement for travel expenses or per diem
allowances, meetings will be rotated between locations throughout the state to
encourage broad participation.
b. Members of the Joint Armed Services Committee may convene local meetings of
Advisory Board members in their areas at any time.
c. Members of the Joint Armed Services Committee may establish their own
communications procedures with Advisory Board members to ensure the maximum
exchange of information.
d. The Joint Armed Services Committee will provide Advisory Board members with
information on the Committee's activities as well as updates on Alaska military issues.
e. Members of the Advisory Board will be notified of other military related public
activities and encouraged to participate.
4. MEMBERSHIP. Members of the Joint Armed Services Committee are authorized to
appoint an unlimited number of members to the Citizens' Advisory Board.
REPORT ON AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
To: Joint Armed Services Committee Members
Citizens Advisory Board Members
From: Barb Mee, Staff
Date: September 24, 2002
At suggestion of Steve Lundgren, Air Force Association, and retired Army Colonel Bill
Brophy, the JASC secured a booth at the Air Force Association Convention & Exposition
in mid-September in DC. It was felt we could touch more, higher echelon military
decision makers in one setting than trying for separate meetings to get out the word on
Alaska's advantage.
A booth was secured in an outstanding location in the Exhibition Hall, and the effort
started to formulate "the message" to share with those in the Lower 48 - of Alaska's
Strategic Location and why it would behoove the military to continue basing units we
have here, and that we're receptive and have the space for additional units.
There were over 120 exhibitors - everything from the Air Force Materiel Command to
White Sands Missile Range. The Alaska's Joint Armed Services Committee - Booth
1500 - was near the big guys from Boeing and European Aeronautic Defense and Space
Company. No other state had a booth. Folks said they might at the next convention,
when told JASC was originally formed to monitor BRAC actions, but expanded effort to
retain our military and recruit additional units.
In our 6 x 10' display, the focal point was the enlarged version of the ALCOM map
showing our strategic global position… 9 hours from any major hot spot in the
world…with the header of Billy Mitchell's famous 1935 statement.. "Alaska is the most
central place in the world for aircraft" …still true today; our booth banner read The
Alaska Advantage; and a table banner showed our committee name and website address.
With great assistance from the Elmendorf and Ft. Rich Public Affairs Offices, global
statistics and info from AEDC, and the able computer assistance of Ken Erickson and
Matt Gill, we produced a CD that combined not only the information from these sources,
but the catchy Northern Edge Video and (stop you in your tracks) music. This CD ran
continuously for the 3 days of the convention, and the two evening receptions.
We distributed Alaskan Command brochures and the brochure compiled by the
Anchorage & Fairbanks Chambers; and terrific hand outs as well as door prizes that were
solicited from the following entities:
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Armed Services YMCA, Nancy
Borg's Nomad Art & Design, the Int'l Trade Office, Alyeska Pipeline Company,
Alaska Railroad, and Jim & Carrie Robbins' Anchorage sight seeing tour.
Matt Gill of Rep. Mulder's staff arrived on Sunday to set up the booth. On Monday
morning we inflated and hung our red/white & blue balloons, placed our patriotic march
music on the boom box and declared ourselves OPEN FOR BUSINESS by 10 a.m.
Our "Experts" on the Alaska Advantage consisted of: Rep. Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair,
Committee member George Cannelos (retired Air Guard BG) his wife Mary Lu;
Matt Gill; Vince Mee (my spouse) (retired USAF Chief; present Snow Tsar for MOA,
and Pacific Rep on the USAF Retiree Council) and me.
We pressed the flesh, hawked our wares and told and retold the Alaska Advantage
story…(i.e. unparalleled air and ground training space - where you can train as you will
fight; less than 9 hours from any major hot spot in the world; major airports, water ports
and railroad;) And, we handed out hundreds of pieces of Alaska items and state flag lapel
pins and Seymour the dancing moose pins. A state that can hand out chapstick on a rope
- and tout dancing moose was a BIG HIT.
A couple hundred business cards were solicited for daily drawings and our three daily
drawing winners were:
USAF Colonel Garrett Harencak, Director CVAS, Pentagon
(Coffee table book-North to the Future, Polar Bear)
th
John Schultz, Fire Prevention Inspector, 914 Airlift Wing fire Department,
Niagara Falls, NY (who'd been stationed in Galena at one time); (Book, Ulu, ASYMCA
Sweatshirt)
June G. Lowe, Exec.VP, Museum of Aviation Foundation, Warner Robbins, GA
(ARR ticket, Book, & Anch. Sight Seeing Tour) (her husband loves railroads so it was
fitting she received the round trip
In addition to manning our booth, our workers visited the booths at the EXPO,
exchanging Alaskan pins, gathering information from their exhibits and inviting them to
our booth. Member George Cannelos attended the convention and will report on that as
well as his views of this venture.
Visitors to the booth included both high ranking military folks, some who'd served in
Alaska and knew our story, as well as many junior officers and enlisted who had Alaska
on their 'dream list' of assignments. These 'future decision makers' were our goal. Also,
many vendors stopped by as well and acquaintances were made for future contacts.
The day following the convention we had the opportunity to meet with Senator Ted
Stevens. He voiced some concern that Alaska "might" be faced with some complaints
about the Stryker… i.e. noise and room it takes when it travels. He again did not voice
concern on any of our bases facing BRAC action but encouraged us to keep putting out
the positive word on our willingness to work with the military.
Thursday afternoon, members Cannelos, Sen. Pete Kelly, Rep. Eldon Mulder, Matt Gill,
Vince and myself were met at the Pentagon by the Army's Public Affairs Office,
Maureen Ramsey, who treated us to lunch in the Executive Dining Room; escorted us to
our meeting with Lt.Gen. Joe Wehrle, Assistant Chief of Staff, USAF. Wehrle briefed us
for half an hour, we gently reminded him of the Alaska Advantage, and presented him
with a copy of our Alaska Advantage CD, an Alaskan coffee table book and an Alaskan
treat from Indian Valley Meats (thanks to Doug Drum).
We were then taken to several Army briefings which included visit to Army's control
room, which monitors daily situations and briefing by Major General Robert Webb
Chesnut; (where we had the opportunity to re-engage with Major General Jim Lovelace
now stationed in the Pentagon. Lovelace indicated that the AUSA convention was about
twice the size of the AFA, and we might want to consider attending that in mid-October.
We also received briefings concerning Army's involvement in monitoring and manning
disasters.
As Under Secretary, US Army, Honorable Les Brownlee, was occupied on the Hill, the
meeting with him had to be postponed until the next day.
(Memento packets, with notes of our appreciation, were also left for General Richard
Myers, Chairman JCOS, (who'd had to cancel our meeting due to constraints on his time)
and Mr. Brownlee).
On Friday morning, Kelly, Mulder, the Canneloses and the Mees met with Sean O'Keefe,
Administrator for NASA and given an overview of NASA and invaluable insight into the
International Space Station. Friday afternoon NASA offered tickets for the IMEX
presentation on space travel; and Kelly, Mulder and Cannelos again visited the Pentagon
for the Brownlee briefings.
My assessment of this venture was that we got a lot of bang for the buck. As George
Cannelos was the only member attending, and he and I enlisted our spouses to help sell
the story, costs were kept to a minimum. In future ventures perhaps the Alaska Tourism
Industry- or ACVB could possibly be involved directly and send a representative with
their wares. Since returning, I have briefed Scott Marcy, AUSA, on our effort. He's
interested in discussing what we did - to see if we might not be able to partner up for
presentations next year. I have also mentioned to Scott my interest in contacting the
Army and Air Force locally to see if THEY have an interest in a booth - and we could
assist them, financially and otherwise. We saw several military unit booths from places
such as Hurlburt AFB, Wright-Pat, etc. If it's possible, perhaps we can assist with funds
and some manpower.
To: Alaska State Legislature Joint Armed Services Committee
From: Mead Treadwell, Institute of the North
Date: November 1, 2002
Re: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Threat
In the year to come, the JASC might want to give some attention to efforts in another
state and at the national level to assess the threat from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP).
Here in Alaska, it may make sense to learn about potential effects of an attack and
formulate a plan to protect Alaskans and critical infrastructure. We may also want to
understand the national threat as it may have some effect on construction and deployment
plans for missile defense in and outside Alaska.
What is EMP?
The electromagnetic radiation from a nuclear explosion caused by Compton-recoil electrons and
photoelectrons from photons scattered in the materials of the nuclear device or in a surrounding medium.
The resulting electric and magnetic fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce
damaging current and voltage surges. EMP may also be caused by non-nuclear means. A broadband,
high-intensity, short-duration burst of electromagnetic energy. Note: In the case of a nuclear detonation,
the electromagnetic pulse consists of a continuous frequency spectrum. Most of the energy is distributed
1
throughout the lower frequencies between 3 Hz and 30 kHz.
Quite simply, EMP is a high-altitude nuclear explosion that emits electromagnetic waves
causing many electrical systems to fail. This can cause catastrophic losses in computers,
power plants, satellites, and most devices containing microchips and semi-conductors.
What is currently happening with EMP?
The EMP Commission was created by Congress on May 8, 2000 to assess the threat of a
EMP attack on the U.S. Its charter calls for the commission do the following:
Review EMP Threat. The Commission is to assess
· The nature and magnitude of potential high-altitude EMP threats to the United States
from all potentially hostile states or non-state actors that have or could acquire nuclear
weapons and ballistic missiles enabling them to perform a high-altitude EMP attack
against the United States within the next fifteen years;
· The vulnerability of the United States military and especially civilian systems to an EMP
attack, giving special attention to vulnerability of the civilian infrastructure as a matter of
emergency preparedness;
· The capability of the United States to repair and recover from damage inflicted on United
States military and civilian systems by an EMP attack; and
· The feasibility and cost of hardening select military and civilian systems against EMP
2
attack.
1
http://www.physics.nwu.edu/classes/2001Fall/Phyx135-2/19/emp.htm
2
http://www.house.gov/hasc/reports/2001executivereports/01-08-14electromagnetic.pdf
Per a recent personal communication with Commission chair Dr. William
Graham, a report from the commission is due sometime this spring.
Commonwealth of Kentucky's approach to EMP
In January 2002, Kentucky passed the Antiterrorism Act of 2002 creating a Division of
Emergency Management to coordinate disaster and emergency response. The act
required the agency to
"assess the threat of and the Commonwealth's capacity for responding to acts of war or terrorism,
including but not limited to agro, eco, electromagnetic pulse, or cyber terrorism, or the
unintentional release of radioactive, chemical, or biological agents;(n) To develop a statewide plan
and needs assessment for responding to acts of war or terrorism, including but not limited to agro,
eco, electromagnetic pulse, or cyber terrorism, or the unintentional release of radioactive,
3
chemical, or biological agents"
We have little additional information at this time about Kentucky's analysis at this time.
Alaska EMP Issues
Alaska's strategic location continues to play an importance in national and international
security. Alaska's geographic location also continues to make it an easy target to
emerging technological threats such as an EMP attack. Issues to consider include but
may not be limited to the following:
a.) We should understand the importance of this issue to the ongoing planning
for and configuration of missile defense. The Commission's examination
of the EMP threat being examined by the commission will doubtless point
to the need for missile defense and possibly for a system larger than that
being fielded now in Alaska.
b.) What does the EMP threat mean to Alaska for business interruption,
emergency planning, protection of the pipeline and other key civil assets,
air traffic control (ability to land planes safely), etc. Are there lessons to
be drawn form the Kentucky exercise? Should Alaska access the
possibility of an EMP attack?
The Institute of the North is willing to assist the JASC if it desires to tackle these issues.
At some point, it may be appropriate to convene a workshop within state government
(perhaps through the State Emergency Response Committee) or in the non-governmental
sector and gather knowledgeable experts.
3
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/02rs/HB258/bill.doc
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