ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS  April 7, 2005 1:03 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Bob Lynn, Chair Representative Jim Elkins Representative Lesil McGuire Representative Bill Thomas Representative Sharon Cissna Representative Max Gruenberg MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Nancy Dahlstrom COMMITTEE CALENDAR CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): Alaska Air National Guard, Commander Tony A. Hart, Colonel - Kulis Air National Guard Base - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED HOUSE BILL NO. 245 "An Act relating to registration and license plate fees for Purple Heart recipients, prisoners of war, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and spouses of current prisoners of war." - BILL HEARING POSTPONED PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION No previous action to record WITNESS REGISTER TONY A HART, Colonel, Appointee as Commander 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base Air National Guard Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: As appointee to the position of Commander of the 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, discussed his new position and answered questions. ACTION NARRATIVE CHAIR BOB LYNN called the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:11:03 PM. Representatives Lynn, Elkins, McGuire, and Gruenberg were present at the call to order. Representatives Thomas and Cissna arrived as the meeting was in progress. ^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): ^Alaska Air National Guard, Commander CHAIR LYNN announced that the only order of business would be the confirmation of Colonel Tony A Hart to the position of Commander of the 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base. TONY A HART, Colonel, Appointee as Commander, 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, informed the committee that he has been in the National Guard since 1988. He explained that he came into the Active Duty Air Force as an officer in 1982, prior to that he was an enlisted member in the Air Force from 1973- 1977. After attending college he returned to the Air Force. He noted that he joined the Air National Guard in his home state of Tennessee, and was in that unit for approximately seven years. In 1994, he related, that he moved to St. Louis and joined the guard unit there and became an advisor at Air Mobility Command in three different capacities. As the advisor, he explained, his job was to be the liaison between the National Guard Bureau and Air Mobility Command concerning any of the mobility force requirements and commitments that the Air National Guard might fulfill. He recalled meeting General Campbell at a conference about two-and-a-half years ago and worked a short period of time with General Scott. Colonel Hart informed the committee that when he was contacted regarding this position, the aforementioned generals came to the Air Mobility Command and briefed him on the Alaska Air National Guard Transformation plan. From General Campbell's perspective, the aforementioned plan is very important to keep the Alaska Air National Guard relative to the national defense posture as well as within the Air National Guard and the active duty Air Force. Not long afterwards, he was offered the position at Kulis Air National Guard Base in Anchorage. He noted that the change of command occurred on September 22nd. 1:16:32 PM COLONEL HART related that since being in this position the focus has been to involve "the Wing" in all the missions required. Because of the location and command situation in Alaska, it is difficult to get the unit involved in necessary operations in which the rest of the guard is involved. Therefore, one of the primary focuses of this position is to ensure that the unit stays relevant across the spectrum of operations. 1:18:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG inquired as to the difference between navigation today as compared to the past. 1:19:45 PM COLONEL HART said that navigation is nothing like the way it was 20 years ago. At this point, [navigators] are practically weapons system operators. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG related that he was in a Blackhawk two weeks ago. He then expressed interest in learning more about what is going on in the military. 1:21:26 PM CHAIR LYNN, upon determining there were no further questions, thanked Colonel Hart for his attendance. REPRESENTATIVE McGUIRE moved to forward the name of Colonel Tony A. Hart to the joint session of the House and Senate for confirmation. There being no objection, the nomination of Colonel Tony A Hart to the position of Commander of the 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base was advanced. COLONEL HART said he looked forward to working with the legislature. ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was adjourned at 1:23:35 PM.