HJR 19-BASE F-35 AIRCRAFT AT EIELSON AFB  1:07:59 PM CO-CHAIR FOSTER announced the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Urging the Secretary of the United States Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and the Commander of the Pacific Air Forces to base F-35 aircraft assigned to the Pacific Air Forces at Eielson Air Force Base. 1:08:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE DOUG ISAACSON, Alaska State Legislature, prime sponsor, introduced HJR 19. Representative Isaacson began his introduction with the words of then Secretary of State, William Seward's message to Congress over 100 years ago: "If we would provide an adequate defense for the United States we must have Alaska to dominate the North Pacific." REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON stated that Mr. Seward's words are still true today, as Alaska has been very strategic for military activity, and an important part of the country's national security. In addition, military activity has been a large part of the economic growth of Alaska. He urged the committee to keep Alaska at the forefront of our nation's economic and military sectors by passing HJR 19. The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) are looking to station F-35 aircraft somewhere in the Asia-Pacific Theater and Eielson Air Force Base (Eielson) faces tough competition with international bases to become the home for the new aircraft; the siting decision team will be coming to Eielson in February, 2014. The resolution is another effort by the legislature to strongly encourage the military to expand the mission of Eielson. In fact, the state was very strategic last year in the decision by the military to reverse changing where the F-16s are located, and statewide support is needed for basing the F-35s. It has been suggested that the F-35s could be based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER); however, the use of Eielson will support the mission at JBER since F-22s are at JBER, and it makes it very viable to have F-35s at Eielson to facilitate joint exercise operations. Representative Isaacson advised he would provide specific information on the aircraft at the conclusion of his introduction. The three most recent military sites that have been awarded F-35 squadrons are Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Burlington Air National Guard Base in Vermont, and Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and all of these bases received tremendous support from both government and citizens. 1:12:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON continued with Eielson's strengths: recognized on a consistent basis by our armed forces; minimal air space congestion; proximity to the Asia-Pacific Theater and to the F-22s at JBER; free access to a training environment including the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC), which is the nation's largest restricted training air space; runway with year-round handling for any type of aircraft; and storage capacity for over 20 million gallons of gas with a direct pipeline to our refineries in North Pole. Eielson is also more cost-effective to maintain than overseas Pacific installations, and is a big component to the local and regional economies. In conclusion, Representative Isaacson asked the committee to join Alaskans and military members with support for HJR 19. 1:14:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS spoke of his experience serving in the military at Eielson, and described the numbering of the F series aircraft. In response to Co-Chair LeDoux, he said some of the aircraft in the series are "just on paper." A video introducing fifth generation F-35 aircraft was shown from 1:17 p.m. to 1:28 p.m. 1:28:23 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX commented that the F-35 was a spectacular airplane. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES found the video exciting and exhilarating. She inquired as to the other locations that are being considered for the placement of the F-35s. REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON advised that according to General Carlisle, Commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), PACAF site survey teams are looking at nine bases including Kadena Air Base and Misawa Air Base in Japan, Kunsan Air Base and Osan Air Base in South Korea, and Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES expressed her support for Eielson. She asked whether the sponsor's intent is to pass HJR 19 prior to the site selection meeting. REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON indicated yes. A similar resolution was heard by the Senate today; the main goal is for the PACAF site selection team to be aware - before its arrival - that the state is firmly behind placing the F-35 aircraft at Eielson. REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON, in further response to Representative Hughes, stated there is no other aircraft like the F-35 in the world; there are three models, one each for the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines. Although other countries have participated in its manufacture and thus will receive a "version" he said, "... from what I'm told ... this [aircraft] would be a high advantage to the United States." 1:32:21 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX referred to the resolution on page 2, lines 13- 14, which read: WHEREAS F-35 aircraft are planned to replace A-10 aircraft in providing air-to-ground mission support for ground forces; CO-CHAIR LEDOUX then asked where the A-10 aircraft are located. REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON explained A-10 aircraft were transferred from Eielson in 2005 and have been phased out of the Air Force inventory. The F-35 can fly supersonic, hypersonic, and subsonic because it can hover; in fact, this aircraft provides all the support functions of the A-10 and the F-16, and is expected to fulfill its design as a fighter aircraft for a long time. CO-CHAIR LEDOUX surmised any base where A-10 aircraft are located would also seek F-35s to replace A-10s. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER was unsure where A-10 aircraft are based. 1:34:54 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX restated her question. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed his belief that if there is currently an A-10 squadron based, it has its mission and equipment; Eielson has a "higher claim on new aircraft coming off the line" because it has a mission, but no equipment. REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON added that Eielson has the former A-10 hangar space in which the F-35s could fit with minimal modification. He stressed that because the A-10 aircraft were transferred from Eielson, and the F-35 aircraft are the replacement for the A-10, Eielson is the logical base to house the F-35. He offered to provide the committee with information on the present location of A-10 aircraft, or suggested that the committee hear from a knowledgeable party online. 1:36:42 PM JIM DODSON, President, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, and member of the Alaska Military Force Advocacy and Structure Team (AMFAST), Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, advised that the two squadrons of F-35s under discussion will be an overseas (OCONUS) stationing. Because the Asia-Pacific Theater has been designated as the prime military area of interest by the Department of Defense (DoD), only bases within the Asia-Pacific Theater, such as the aforementioned nine installations, will be considered. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES heard a report from the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC) on 1/4/14 and one of its focus areas is security. She suggested that documentation accompanying HJR 19 should include information on the international security aspect of the increased activity in the Arctic. Currently, there is a lot of focus on the Asia-Pacific Theater, but the coming decades will bring new activity to the Arctic, thus the Eielson location should be selected. 1:38:45 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS relayed the process through which bases are selected. The site selection team looks at economics and the community, and he pointed out that Eielson has the largest air training space for this type of aircraft. He expressed his belief that the deciding factor is how badly Alaska wants the F- 35s, and that is the point of the resolution; in fact, HJR 19 could be "the deciding factor." He reviewed the merits of Eielson Air Force Base: closest Pacific Rim base that can house F-35s fairly easily; not subject to closure by foreign governments; unsurpassed training area. Representative Higgins concluded that Alaska needs to let the Air Force know the F-35s are wanted. 1:40:17 PM CO-CHAIR FOSTER opened public testimony on HJR 19. 1:40:31 PM MR. DODSON informed the committee in 2005, he managed the effort to retain the mission of Eielson on behalf of the governor and the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough, thus has experience in military issues. In reviewing the military industry and the related stationing of equipment and manpower in Alaska, he urged the committee to understand that there is a lot of competition with other states and communities due to the favorable economic impact a base brings; in fact, in Alaska the military industry comprises 16 percent of its gross state product, and 17 percent of the payroll paid in the state. Alaska and its legislators should support the sustainability and the growth of the military industry. Mr. Dodson supported previous testimony on the merits and the opportunity of stationing the F-35s in Alaska due to its available airspace and its strategic position in the world. Alaska's 168th Air Tanker Group stationed at Eielson with its 24 million gallons of fuel storage serves as a northern fuel station at the top of the world for the United States Air Force. He closed by urging the committee to support the resolution as that is the right thing to do for our state, our economy, and our nation. 1:43:02 PM LUKE HOPKINS, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough, agreed with the previous testimony in support of HJR 19. Those at Eielson know the importance of the base - as in 2005 - and now, regarding the placement of the F-35s; as a matter of fact, the base commanders make it known that from Eielson they can reach any place in the northern hemisphere in about nine hours. He restated the value of the aircraft to the economy and to the efforts of the military in the Asia-Pacific "realignment." It is very important for both the state legislature and local communities to send resolutions to the commanders in the Air Force, and to the Secretary of the United States Air Force. Mayor Hopkins expressed his hope that HJR 19 would pass out of the committee. 1:45:28 PM TIM JONES, Army Colonel Ret., informed the committee he is a former Garrison Commander at Fort Wainwright, is currently the chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (Fairbanks Chamber), and the Interior representative to the legislature's Joint Armed Services Committee. He agreed with previous testimony in support for HJR 19, and added that basing the aircraft at Eielson is not only beneficial to the community, but is the right thing to do for the Air Force. Eielson's strategic location alone justifies the basing decision as it allows for a rapid response to military requirements throughout the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Furthermore, the air-to-air and air-to-ground training through the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) is "world class," and gains additional strategic importance when combined with the 168th refueling wing. He observed that service members and their families stationed at Eielson enjoy a superior quality of life, as well as tremendous support provided by the community and the state. Mr. Jones expressed his personal support, and that of the Fairbanks Chamber Military Affairs Committee, for HJR 19. 1:47:38 PM CO-CHAIR FOSTER, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony. 1:47:53 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to adopt Amendment 1, as follows: Page 3, line 13, following "members" insert: "on all bases in Alaska" CO-CHAIR LEDOUX objected for the purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested the resolution should indicate that Alaskans support - not just Eielson - but all the military bases in Alaska. He read the language of the amendment and advised that the sponsor of the resolution participated in preparing the amendment. 1:49:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned whether the amendment is intended to read "on all bases in Alaska," or "and all bases in Alaska." REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON stated "and all bases in Alaska" is the intended language. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked unanimous consent that the amendment be amended accordingly. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES supported the amendment to the amendment. 1:50:34 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to adopt an amendment to the amendment as follows: [Page 3, line 14, following "all military service members" insert:] [all military service members] "and all bases in Alaska" REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON opined the amendment to the amendment may be redundant because it is previously stated; however, if the intent is that Alaskans have, and currently, salute military members, he said, "that's fine." REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed his support for the amendment to the amendment. 1:52:32 PM CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked whether there was any objection to the adoption of the amendment to the amendment. Hearing none, it was so ordered. 1:52:43 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX removed her objection to Amendment 1. There being no further objection, Amendment 1, as amended, was adopted. 1:52:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER [moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 2] which would add Lt. General Russell Handy, Commander, Alaskan Command, U.S. Pacific Command; Commander, 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; Commander, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, JBER, to the list of those to whom the resolution is addressed. REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON agreed to a wide distribution of the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER preferred to limit distribution to the addition of Lt. General Handy. 1:53:52 PM CO-CHAIR FOSTER objected to Conceptual Amendment 2 for the purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, in response to Representative Gruenberg, said he would not add the Alaska Delegation to Conceptual Amendment 2. 1:54:21 PM CO-CHAIR FOSTER removed his objection to Conceptual Amendment 2. There being no further objection, Conceptual Amendment 2 was adopted. 1:54:48 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to report HJR 19, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and no accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHJR 19 (MLV) was reported from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.