ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE  March 11, 2003 1:10 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative John Harris, Co-Chair Representative Nancy Dahlstrom, Vice Chair Representative Bob Lynn Senator Gary Wilken, Co-Chair Senator Fred Dyson Senator Gretchen Guess Senator Ben Stevens (alternate) MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Carl Morgan Representative Reggie Joule Representative Pete Kott (alternate) Senator Gary Stevens Senator Gene Therriault PUBLIC MEMBERS PRESENT General George Cannelos Lieutenant General Tom Case Master Chief Frank Love Colonel Dean Owen COMMITTEE CALENDAR ^MILITARY LEGISLATIVE ADDRESS: LIEUTENANT GENERAL CARROL H. "HOWIE" CHANDLER, USAF COMMANDER, ALASKAN COMMAND; BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG CAMPBELL, ADJUTANT GENERAL, ALASKA NATIONAL GUARD PREVIOUS ACTION No previous action to record WITNESS REGISTER LIEUTENANT GENERAL "HOWIE" CHANDLER, Commander Alaskan Command LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LOREN LEMAN BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG E. CAMPBELL, Adjutant General/Commissioner Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs JANICE NEILSON, Director Governmental and Legislative Affairs U.S. Army Pacific ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 03-1, SIDE A  Number 0001 CO-CHAIR GARY WILKEN called the Joint Armed Services Committee meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. Representatives Harris, Dahlstrom, and Lynn and Senators Wilken, Dyson, and Guess were present at the call to order. Representative Ben Stevens arrived as the meeting was in progress. Public members present were General George Cannelos, Lieutenant General Tom Case, Master Chief Frank Love, and Colonel Dean Owen. Also in attendance was Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman. CO-CHAIR WILKEN polled the teleconference sites and was informed that Bill Brophy, Billie Blanchard, Dave Dean, Roger Schnell, and Lance Herrington were on-line. The aforementioned are all members of the Joint Armed Services Committee Civilian Advisory Board. He also noted the presence of Janice Neilson. Number 3.40 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM moved that the committee approve the November 1, 2002, minutes. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MILITARY LEGISLATIVE ADDRESS CO-CHAIR WILKEN pointed out that the Joint Armed Services Committee, the "brain child" of former Senator Tim Kelly, was formed about four years ago. Co-Chair Wilken noted the presence of Barbara Mee, Staff to the Joint Armed Services Committee. CO-CHAIR WILKEN welcomed Lieutenant General "Howie" Chandler, Commander of the Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and the 11th Air Force, all of which are headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Co-Chair Wilken reviewed Lieutenant General Chandler's background and highlighted that as commander of Alaskan Command, he is the single military point of contact for more than 21,000 active duty, Guard, and Reserve members from all services in Alaska. Lieutenant General Chandler conducts joint training and deploys a joint task force when directed by the commander of U.S. Pacific Command. Co-Chair Wilken related that Lieutenant General Chandler, after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, entered the Air Force in 1974. Lieutenant General Chandler has commanded two fighter wings and a support group. Lieutenant General Chandler is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours in the T-38, F-15, and F-16. Lieutenant General Chandler joined Alaskan Command in September 2002 as the top ranking military person in Alaska. LIEUTENANT GENERAL "HOWIE" CHANDLER, Commander, Alaskan Command, began by noting that it is an honor to be present and representing the some 21,000 military personnel, active duty Guard, Reserve, and civilian U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) employees in Alaska. Lieutenant General Chandler emphasized that everyone can be proud of the young people in the armed forces. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER turned to his slide presentation entitled "Transforming Alaska's Military," which was included in the committee packet. He began by noting that the military structure in Alaska is unique. He pointed out that his position has authorities from four different headquarters; the newest being the U.S. Northern Command. Lieutenant General Chandler mentioned that he works with Major General John Brown, Rear Admiral John Underwood, and Adjutant General Craig Campbell, who are great counterparts with whom he feels very comfortable. 9.02 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER explained that most of Alaskan Command missions are directed by the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). The over-arching responsibility of PACOM is to enhance security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. With regard to supporting relevant combined training activities, Lieutenant General Chandler informed the committee that the Indian military trained in Alaska with the U.S. Army and Air Force just last September. There is to be a cooperative training exercise in June, which will include representatives of the Japanese self- defense force. Lieutenant General Chandler turned to the 11th Air Force, which is directed by the Pacific Air Force (PACAF). The over-arching responsibility of the 11th Air Force is to organize, train, and equip forces for combat operations worldwide, although the emphasis is on the Pacific Rim. Under this command hat, Alaska's Air Force facilities and resources are managed, including the most important asset of people and their families. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER moved to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which has been in existence for over 50 years, during which time it has maintained the air sovereignty of North America from external threats. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NORAD also responds to internal threats in Alaska, if required. Lieutenant General Chandler stated that the newest parent organization in DOD's effort to consolidate the nation's homeland defense efforts under a single unified command is U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). The impact of the creation of USNORTHCOM in Alaska and its military forces should be transparent. He emphasized that there has been no change in the number of forces or the infrastructure. Like USNORTHCOM, Alaskan Command is one- stop shopping in Alaska for military support for homeland defense operations. Lieutenant General Chandler also emphasized that a key component of Alaska's homeland defense effort is interagency relationships. He predicted that we will succeed or fail in the war on terrorism based on solid relationships between various federal, state, and local governments. "It's imperative to continue to work to develop plans and exercise our actions together," he said. Lastly, Lieutenant General Chandler said that the development of USNORTHCOM doesn't provide the military with any new authority to conduct unilateral operations. The same framework of the Posse Comitatus Act and other laws must be followed. 12.17 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER turned to several ongoing initiatives. First, he addressed missile defense. Lieutenant General Chandler remarked that although the military is engaged in operations throughout the world, it hasn't lost sight of the new and challenging environment in which they work and live. As President George W. Bush stated, "Missile defense is an essential element of our broader efforts to transform our defenses and deterrence polices and capabilities to meet the new threats we face." On December 17, 2002, the president directed the missile defense agency to have initial operational capability in place by September 30, 2004, in order to defend against intercontinental ballistic missiles. Lieutenant General Chandler informed the committee that ground based interceptor missiles at Fort Greely will increase from five to sixteen and the program will be changed from research and development (R&D) to a concurrent R&D and operational program. Furthermore, the X-band radar was moved from a land-based to a sea-based platform. The X-band radar will provide considerable flexibility to support both testing and defensive operations with the same surveillance asset. Therefore, the radar will be operated from locations at sea and home ported for crew relief and maintenance of systems. Several locations are under consideration for the home port, such as Valdez and Adak. Kodiak will be involved with missile defense through the extended test bed, but the extent of Kodiak's involvement must await the completion of the environmental impact statement (EIS) and the reevaluation of all missile defense projects for available funding. 14.20 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER continued with the C-17, which are newer and a more reliable aircraft that provide greater payload and can more easily support locations on the Aleutian Island chain and the Pacific theater. Furthermore, the C-17 will allow the quick and rapid deployment of Alaskan forces. Lieutenant General Chandler pointed out that two units will be impacted. The associate unit, comprised of reserve personnel, will fly the same aircraft as the active duty personnel. Therefore, efficient use of the aircraft will occur while keeping the aircraft flying. He noted that manpower will be impacted, although the exact numbers are not known yet. Lieutenant General Chandler directed attention to the slide reviewing the construction projects associated with the arrival of the C-17. Total construction costs through fiscal year 2006 will amount to approximately $125 million. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER explained that as part of the Army's transformation into a lighter and leaner force, six Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) are being created. The team will greatly enhance the mobility of soldiers. The Stryker is an eight-wheel vehicle, which can be deployed by a C-130 along with soldiers and additional equipment. The teams will be ready for combat when deployed in theater. Furthermore, the teams will be supported by state of the art technology providing superior situational awareness. Basically, the Army is going digital. The third of the six SBCTs is "standing up" in Alaska at Fort Wainwright; the SBCT will be ready for combat by May 2005. Meanwhile, the Army in Alaska will be in transition and the focus will be to keep the transformation on schedule. Another unit undergoing transformation is the revised 501st Air Borne Task Force assigned to Fort Richardson. Once certified, the aforementioned task force will serve independently to support PACOM requirements. Overall, this transformation will increase the Army's personnel in Alaska by a little over 2,400 people and their families. In order to accomplish this there will be a major range construction requirement to include training facilities and firing ranges. Furthermore, supporting the additional personnel will require additional military construction in Fairbanks and Anchorage. 17.42 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER continued with the Alaska Land Mobile Radio, which has the goal of providing a secure, interoperable communications system that can be shared by all state, local, and federal agencies during emergencies. One of the more exciting phases of this system is the concept demonstration that is scheduled for this week at Northern Edge in Valdez. After the demonstration, Phase 1 will begin. Phase 1 will build the system around the Fairbanks area. The goal is to complete Phase 1 by the end of the fiscal year. He highlighted that the goal is to have the entire statewide system build-out complete in fiscal year 2006. He also highlighted that this is a cooperative effort between the state and DOD. Since everyone is working under a common implementation plan, everyone will be interoperable. Lieutenant General Chandler directed attention to a map that specifies the area of continuous coverage, which extends along the major highways between Anchorage and Fairbanks and down the Kenai Peninsula. The red circles on the map indicate areas where there will be coverage with remote radio repeaters in order to provide local support in that immediate area. He informed the committee that about 90 percent of the population and major communities and road systems will be covered by the Alaska Land Mobile Radio System. He noted that the system includes two or three sets of deployable systems capable of responding to situations outside the normal coverage areas. 19.26 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER turned to Northern Edge 2003, which is underway now. Although it's a scaled-back version of previous exercises, the scenarios being tested will provide valuable training to the participants. Joint training in Alaska has contributed to the readiness of forces in the state since the 1970s. The emerging role of homeland defense provides another opportunity to transform the Northern Edge exercise. Conceptually, the proposal is to have Northern Edge exercises run on an odd-even year cycle. This plan would maintain Alaskan Command's role in PACOM missions and formally ties Northern Edge to existing war plans in the even years. During odd years, Northern Edge would align with Northern Command to provide a training environment to validate real world concepts and training practices. Furthermore, there would be an opportunity to coordinate numerous homeland security, homeland defense, and military assistance to civil authority related activities currently being conducted and planned by various agencies in Alaska. [Northern Edge] also builds on existing strong federal, state, and local ties. This new concept is currently being studied at PACOM and Northern Command. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER moved on to the management of training, airspace, and ranges. He said that retaining the ability to use the ranges and airspace in Alaska is critical to the future utility of the forces in Alaska. The wide open spaces in Alaska allow crucial large scale training and exercises to be conducted. "Nowhere in the Lower 48, can comparable training opportunities be found. In fact, our Alaska ranges constitute what I would call a national treasure," he said. He related is belief that the importance of the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex (PARC) will continue to grow. For that reason, there is continued investment in range improvements, while also managing the dual use capability of the airspace. For example, the proposed Mount Fairplay radar is a recent improvement that will provide coverage in the northern corridor to Fairbanks, a benefit to military and civilian users. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER turned to the National Guard and Reserve and said that DoD has come to rely on the National Guard and Reserve to do work on a day-to-day basis. Just as NORTHCOM is the center for military support to homeland security around the nation, the Alaska National Guard is the governor's center for homeland defense in the state. Lieutenant General Chandler said that in recent months he has seen an increased coordination between the Alaska National Guard and active duty military. "We must continue to work with each other to bring all our different skills to the fight," he charged. He noted that beyond the security response missions, the Alaska National Guard is taking on other unique missions. For instance, transition to Air National Guard personnel is underway at Clear Air Force Station in Anderson. The Air National Guard personnel at Clear Air Force Station will be responsible for operating the radar conducting missile warning and space control for the nation. The Alaskan NORAD region operations center has almost completed the aforementioned transition to Air National Guard personnel. He noted that when more security personnel were needed at Kulis Air National Guard Base, the Army National Guard members filled that need. "Once completed, operational aspects of the missile defense in Alaska will be tasked to the Army National Guard," he mentioned. Therefore, "total force" is a reality and a success in Alaska. 22.59 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER concluded by noting that although Alaska's military has a full plate, it is able to respond across the spectrum of missions throughout the state, including support to designated lead federal agencies in homeland defense operations. Lieutenant General Chandler emphasized, "Our success or failure in this war on terrorism depends on solid relationships, which I'm happy to report are good throughout the state, among our federal, state, and local agencies." He reiterated that Alaska is positioned to play a large role in military transformation. CO-CHAIR WILKEN requested that any questions be held until after Brigadier General Campbell's presentation. Co-Chair Wilken then recognized Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman who had joined the committee. 24.19 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LOREN LEMAN noted that he enjoyed serving on the Joint Armed Services Committee and was present today to support the military. He informed Lieutenant General Chandler and Brigadier General Campbell that the administration appreciates the work of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. He expressed the need to ensure that the relationship between the Alaskan community and the military remains strong. Lieutenant Governor Leman explained that one of his responsibilities as lieutenant governor is the Division of Elections, and in that vein he mentioned the need to ensure that military personnel are able to participate in elections. CO-CHAIR WILKEN introduced Brigadier General Craig Campbell, who is the Adjutant General for the State of Alaska and the Commander of the Alaska National Guard and the Commission of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. Co-Chair Wilken related: He [Brigadier General Craig Campbell] is responsible to provide Army and Air National Guard military forces, a State Defense Force, and a Navy Militia that are fully prepared to protect Alaska from any threat, disaster, or emergency. He is also responsible to ensure that Alaska's National Guard forces are ready to deploy worldwide and accomplish military missions in support of the national defense strategy. In 1974 Brigadier General Campbell received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brigadier General Campbell came to Alaska in 1991 as the Commander of the 168th Resource Management Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base. In January 2003 Governor Murkowski selected Brigadier General Campbell as the Adjutant General for the State of Alaska. 26.57 BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG E. CAMPBELL, Adjutant General/Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), returned to the last slide referenced by Lieutenant General Chandler, which referred to the total force in Alaska. He emphasized that Lieutenant General Chandler represents the active duty components while he represents the National Guard, homeland security, and civilian and emergency services. The aforementioned team provides Alaska the safety and security from all internal and external threats. Adjutant General Campbell thanked Lieutenant General Chandler for being present today and noted the great dynamics Lieutenant General Chandler brings to the state with regard to how the active duty component can work with the state. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL noted that although DMVA has reorganized, the mission to all components remains the same: to provide relevant, ready, and quality forces and services for Alaskans and the nation. The largest transformation is occurring with Homeland Security & Emergency Services. He explained that the reorganization has brought the elements of Homeland Security and Emergency Services together as one team, which follows Governor Murkowski's team approach. The reorganization brought together Homeland Security & Emergency Services under an assistant commissioner to utilize the benefits of both. The aforementioned is providing results such as multi- agency coordination. For example, prior to January the federal government had an Anti-Terrorism Task Force as well as a Joint Terrorism Task Force and the State of Alaska was a member of both. The State of Alaska also had its own Homeland Security Task Force, which included members that were also members of the two federal task forces. The proposal was to merge the Homeland Security Task Force of Alaska into the federal Anti-Terrorism Task Force and that it be co-chaired as one task force dealing with the anti-terrorism issues that deal with Alaska. Adjutant General Campbell predicted that soon there will be an agreement to consolidate the two entities. 30.47 ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL turned to the State Emergency Coordination Center, which has been in existence for many years. In the last year, the coordination center was increased to a full-time operation, which increased the departmental costs. Adjutant General Campbell said that upon review it was realized that the Alaska State Troopers have their public safety dispatch center in the room next door to the State Emergency Coordination Center. After talking with the Department of Public Safety, it was realized that there is synergy with having one responder. Therefore, steps are being taken to return the State Emergency Coordination Center to an on-call facility while maintaining the necessary services. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL said he wanted to discuss the 103 Civil Support Team, the Alaska State Defense Force, and the Counter Drug Support Program as a group. He explained that homeland security requires resources to respond to an emergency. Within the Army National Guard, there is a joint operation of the civil support team, which is both Air National Guard and Army National Guard, and that team can respond to a chemical, biological, or radiation problem anywhere in the State of Alaska or the U.S. The aforementioned is a homeland security issue. Adjutant General Campbell turned to the Counter Drug Support Program and highlighted that drugs and the money from drugs funnel into terrorism. Therefore, the Counter Drug Support agency supports other agencies at the state and national level to reduce illegal drug use in Alaska. The third component is the Alaska State Defense Force, volunteers within the Army National Guard. He explained that the idea is to take all three of the aforementioned components recruited, trained, supplied, and paid for by the Army National Guard. However, these personnel would be delegated to Homeland Security & Emergency Services so when there is an issue requiring response, all three of the components would be available to Homeland Security & Emergency Services to be mobilized and provide the necessary protection of the state. Adjutant General Campbell remarked that the aforementioned illustrates that utilizing partnerships and resources available while not duplicating processes done by the state is the way in which to solve problems in the future. 34.21 ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL continued with the current operations of the Alaska Army National Guard, which he characterized as dynamic and ongoing. As mentioned earlier, Army National Guard individuals, security police, and military police have already been assigned to Kulis Air National Guard Base in order to provide for site security. Adjutant General Campbell explained that the Air National Guard has security police officers, however they have been mobilized and sent around the world to support the Air Force and the Army in their missions. Therefore, in response to the deployment of active duty forces, Army personnel are providing site security at Kulis Air National Guard Base. The aforementioned works very well. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL highlighted the 207 Infantry Group annual training. He characterized the Scouts and the infantry groups around the state as a dynamic group. He noted that there are 72 armories around the state. There is active coordination so that the Army National Guard provides a lot of state security forces while being available for deployment as a unit. Therefore, the groups are brought together for training. Adjutant General Campbell informed the committee that a memorandum of understanding between Alaska and the New England states is being developed. He pointed out that New England has the same type of Scout operations as Alaska in that during the Cold War both patrolled the coastline and the border for any possible infiltration of enemy activities. However, the Cold War is over and the department is looking for a new use of the Scout organization. Therefore, the department has coordinated with the New England states to combine the Scouts of the New England states with the Alaska Scouts. "All six of the states believe that it's best to have one Scout unit defining a new mission that's vital to the military and to all our states that can be utilized as needed anywhere, anytime," he related. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL reviewed the aircraft that the Alaska Army National Guard has. He noted that the aviators are taking part in the Northern Edge Exercise. He emphasized that these aviators respond to a lot of contingencies throughout Alaska. Due to the way the Air National Guard is going, the Army National Guard is training and preparing to do the rescue missions in Alaska should the Air National Guard deploy. Therefore, it's becoming a versatile unit. Adjutant General Campbell said that the department is totally committed to the total force concept and the soldiers are prepared to be deployed, if necessary. For example, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Williams of the Army National Guard is currently deployed in Afghanistan and General Rich Blunt, an Alaska National Guardsman is in Korea. Adjutant General Campbell informed the committee, "The bottom line ... of current operations is that we have a lot of soldiers that could amount to up to 450 eventually doing service somewhere around the globe, should they be activated." ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL turned to the Alaska Air National Guard and informed the committee that the 176 Wing and the 168 Air Refueling Wing are integral parts of the total force concept. For example, the 168 Air Refueling Wing at Eielson Air Force Base has a tanker on 24-hour alert to support the NORAD mission and NORTHCOM. Furthermore, the 168 Air Refueling Wing provides the air refueling for the North Pacific. For the entire Pacific theater there are only three squadrons, wings, that provide tanker service across the Pacific air forces. He noted that the Air National Guard provides two-thirds of the tanker refueling for PACAF and one of the units is located in Alaska. The 176 Wing is currently under partial activation. Should this squadron leave, the Army is prepared to come forward and perform some of the rescue services in the state. The 144 Airless Squadron is prepared for possible deployment. Therefore, the Air National Guard is just as busy as the Army National Guard. For example, the governor's selection for the Assistant Adjutant Air Commander is still in the Middle East. 41.17 ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL moved on to the future of homeland security and said that the department is working hard to build a homeland security program that meets the needs of Alaska. This program is beginning by obtaining security clearance for critical individuals such as the governor and the lieutenant governor. Furthermore, the department is working hard to disseminate information properly so that when the security level is raised everyone is aware of it and knows what to do. The aforementioned requires increased community outreach. Therefore, the state emergency operations plan will be revised and critical assets will be identified as well as a response plan to protect those critical assets. Moreover, the department is going to try to establish a joint operations center for Alaska in order to respond to needs from the first responder level to the federal level. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL directed attention to the Aerospace Defense organization and said, "My vision of the transformation of the National Guard is to bring the two organizations together so that services that provide in one area can actually transfer to another." He reiterated earlier testimony regarding the regional air operations center transfer to the Alaska Air National Guard and noted that the Tanker Alert at Eielson Air National Guard while the 206 Combat Communications squadron is located at Kulis, which is the Air National Guard. Adjutant General opined that the aforementioned makes up part of the component for air defense in the nation. He highlighted the presence of space defense and mentioned that Clear Air Force Station, missile defense, and the expansion of site security mission. He related his vision that the aforementioned issues become transparent with regard to whether they are green or blue. For instance, an individual that joins the Alaska National Guard may begin as military police at Fort Greely, but may have the opportunity throughout his/her career to have full diversity in the Alaska National Guard. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL closed by highlighting the importance of veterans of which Alaska has over 70,000. He noted his pride with Governor Murkowski's full funding of the veterans' services. Adjutant General Campbell announced that the department wants to continue to be active with the veterans, providing the necessary support, participating in organizational efforts to ensure that Alaska's veterans have what they deserve. CO-CHAIR WILKEN noted the presence of former Representative Eldon Mulder. ELDON MULDER, former Representative, Alaska State Legislature, said that the Joint Armed Services Committee was one of his favorite committees. He commented that these are very interesting times and closed by wishing the committee the best. CO-CHAIR WILKEN opened the meeting to questions. 48.58 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM requested comments regarding the growth of the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER highlighted that Admiral Jim Underwood has had a lot of interaction with the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. He noted that there has been a lot of discussion with regard to the port expansion in Anchorage and the potential to have a U.S. Coast Guard presence. TAPE 03-1, SIDE B  REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM noted that there has been much interest in having a Junior ROTC [Reserve Officers' Training Corps] program with the U.S. Coast Guard. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL acknowledged that the issue has come up more than once. He informed the committee that he has written a letter to Admiral Underwood requesting that Admiral Underwood and his staff meet with him and his staff. He envisioned a charter in which the issues that overlap between the state and the U.S. Coast Guard are reviewed in order to determine where programs might be enhanced. Therefore, Adjutant General Campbell said that the department's offer is to help, through state resources, augment Admiral Underwood's forces. The Alaska National Guard, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, should participate in Junior ROTC, port security, and expansion of services. The Alaska National Guard, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, should be a player in the aforementioned. 44.50 SENATOR DYSON asked if the counter drug support is logistic support. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL replied yes. There are a cadre of Army and Air National Guard individuals who do counter drug support as civilians. Other agencies define what is needed. The counter drug support services support existing programs in agencies such as the Alaska State Troopers. Other than education, the department doesn't have a drug program. In further response to Senator Dyson, Adjutant General Campbell confirmed that the Posse Comitatus Act prevents the military from doing anything more than a support role. SENATOR DYSON inquired as to the tanker alert function. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that when the U.S. Air Force transferred the KC-135 air refueling mission to the National Guard, "we" agreed to keep one of the tankers on 24-hour, 7-day alert to support the fighters at Elmendorf Air Force Base or anywhere else. If radar detects an unidentified target coming to Alaska and the fighters launch to identify the target, the tanker is available for launch in order to refuel those fighters so that they don't run out of gas. 42.15 COLONEL DEAN OWEN, Public Member, turned to the Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) 2005 issues. He recalled that the U.S. Secretary of Defense has said that one of the major objectives is to examine opportunities for more joint activities. Therefore, he asked if the Joint Armed Services Committee can do anything to be of assistance in this matter. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER commented that the U.S. Secretary of Defense has taken a different approach to the BRAC process than has been the case in the past. He specified that the approach has been to review the threat for as far out as possible and size the infrastructure and force to meet the national security requirements. Often BRAC is viewed as a way in which to eliminate excess infrastructure. Although the aforementioned is one aspect of BRAC, additionally there is the desire to promote solid stewardship of the dollars given to run the DOD. At the same time, there is an opportunity to reshape the military. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to pursue joint ventures between the services. At the same time, there is the hope to realize significant savings during the transformation so that money that would've otherwise went to unneeded infrastructure goes to pay for the things necessary to transform the military, including the quality of personnel and support for their families. The bottom line with BRAC is to optimize military readiness. Lieutenant General Chandler said that those in Alaska are positioned very well. For example, Alaskan Command already has joint mobility processing centers at Elmendorf Air Force Base and Eielson Air Force Base. Alaska has done a lot to meet the joint criteria being discussed; Alaska has also done a lot with the ranges where the land and air forces can train. Availability to get back and forth to the ranges and the use of low level flying infrastructure to allow training at low altitude should be maintained, he said. Furthermore, the viability of the bases should be maintained. CO-CHAIR WILKEN reminded the committee that about a year ago this committee, along with help from Barbara Mee and volunteers, put together two brochures highlighting the benefit of the military to the state. There is also a multi-media presentation that highlights the military in Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN returned to the notion of a ROTC program through the U.S. Coast Guard and informed the committee that his office has sent a letter to U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski for her input. He then inquired as to how the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) fits into the mix. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER pointed out that the CAP is overseen by a portion of the air staff in Washington, D.C. He said that he would have to get back to Representative Lynn regarding the details of this matter. However, he acknowledged that the CAP is a great group of volunteers who work on their own time and, in some cases, at their own expense. He noted that Alaska is a bit different because pilots must know what they are doing when flying aircraft in Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN related his thought that the CAP could be useful in the counter terrorism effort to help to patrol the pipeline. He recalled some past discussion of the CAP working with the counter drug services. ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMPBELL noted that he has yet to meet with the CAP. Currently, the CAP provides search and rescue services. The idea of utilizing the CAP for homeland security is intriguing. He pointed out that the Alaska Defense Force is also a volunteer organization that is available to utilize for homeland security. He related his understanding that the CAP is interested. 34.42 CO-CHAIR HARRIS turned to the F-22 in Alaska and inquired as to what can be done to facilitate and entice more naval training and involvement in the state. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER pointed out that the site selection for the second operational location for F-22 deployment hasn't been made. Alaska is attractive when one reviews the bases, the ranges, the capability to deploy forces anywhere in the Pacific and Europe, and the geography of the area. At some point, a site survey team will review Elmendorf Air Force Base. Lieutenant General Chandler said that the state has already done the necessary framework to be chosen as the site for the F-22 deployment. With regard to Naval training, Alaska's efforts primarily revolve around Northern Edge and the ability to meet the commander of PACOM's requirements for force protection in the Korean Peninsula scenario. In the past the training for the aforementioned has been through Northern Edge. Lieutenant General Campbell said that he continued to see growth in that exercise, particularly if the odd-even year construct is adopted. In further response, Lieutenant General Chandler specified the need for continued review of the Elmendorf Air Force Base to ensure preservation of the viability of the base in order to ensure the ability to fly into and out of the bases. CO-CHAIR HARRIS requested that issues involving local municipalities, the railroad, or other things that may create a restriction to the military's use of bases be relayed to committee members. He expressed the desire to help facilitate a resolution in those cases. 29.48 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM related her understanding that Northern Edge isn't the only large scale training operation held in Alaska. She asked if Lieutenant General Chandler could comment on any other training operations held in Alaska. She asked if he saw things that Alaska could do to facilitate those exercises and make them more of a success. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER answered that the Cope Thunder exercise is the other large exercise in the state. He noted that the first two were canceled this year due to real world activities of the participants. This training also includes the allies of the U.S., which is important and should continue to be fostered. In June, there will be a number of foreign visitors at Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases. He said this exercise will be very important for the government of Japan and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force. This will be the first time that Japanese F-15s deploy outside of Japan. Lieutenant General Chandler requested the committee's support and the community's support as the foreign visitors arrive because coalition warfare and cooperation with partners have, in large part, allowed the kind of development that has occurred around the Pacific Rim. CO-CHAIR WILKEN recalled that in 1995 Lieutenant General Case held Lieutenant General Chandler's position when this all began. Co-Chair Wilken thanked both Lieutenant General Chandler and Adjutant General Campbell for being present and for their service. He echoed Co-Chair Harris' comment that the committee stands ready to help where needed. 26.47 JANICE NEILSON, Director, Governmental and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Army Pacific, thanked the committee and the governor's office for the tremendous support that has been given to the military in Alaska and throughout the Pacific. "It's reassuring to our military force that both of these governmental bodies work together in the support," she related. MS. NEILSON recalled the last Joint Armed Services Committee meeting during which there was a discussion regarding the committee participating in the national convention of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). She said that the booth the committee had at the Air Force Association convention was a step in the right direction. She offered to work with AUSA in order to have the Advantage Alaska booth at the AUSA convention. She expressed the desire to have Lieutenant General Campbell address the committee later this year and perhaps even hold the meeting at Fort Wainwright. She noted that there may be an opportunity to actually see the Stryker brigade during a meeting at Fort Wainwright. She pointed out that there are 10 different models of Stryker. CO-CHAIR HARRIS related his understanding that U.S. Senator Ted Stevens and the U.S. senator from Hawaii will be in Alaska touring Alaska's facilities. Co-Chair Harris highlighted that Alaska is fortunate in that all three congressional members for Alaska are supporters of the military. He noted his appreciation of the support from Hawaii's congressional delegation. MS. NEILSON commented that Alaska is unique with regard to the collective support of its two senators. She related her understanding that the joint meeting between U.S. Senator Ted Stevens and the U.S. senator from Hawaii has been rescheduled due to world events. 21.41 GENERAL GEORGE CANNELOS, Public Member, thanked Ms. Neilson for her support with regard to AUSA's meeting next fall. He related his belief that the committee's involvement with the Air Force Association Conference was one of the more successful endeavors of the committee. He remarked that it was disconcerting to discover the number of policymakers who don't know the Alaska story. Therefore, he urged the committee to accept Ms. Neilson's offer to meet in early October. 20.32 TOM MORGAN, Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), inquired as to when Navy vessels could be expected at the port of Anchorage. LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHANDLER said that he wasn't sure that the vessel deployed for Northern Edge will make a port call in Anchorage. He offered to determine the status of that and inform Mr. Morgan. BILL BROPHY informed the committee that a military appreciation banquet will take place in the Interior on March 29, 2003, with distinguished speaker General Jones, Marine Corps. 19.05 LIEUTENANT GENERAL CASE thanked the committee for being able to serve on the committee. On behalf of the committee, he emphasized that the statewide support of Alaska's military is unmatched and is tremendously important. He recalled Lieutenant General Chandler's earlier comment that Alaska's range complex is a national treasure and said that he believes that's going to grow stronger in the future. Furthermore, Alaska's range complex will help cement the state's future as a military asset. GENERAL CANNELOS returned to the issue of encroachment and informed the committee that municipality's are working closely with the military on the Port of Anchorage and the Knik Arm crossing. The port is important because it sees 80 percent or more of all the goods that arrive in Alaska. If the port is done correctly, it can help the Stryker concept and enhance the military's role. The Knik Arm crossing, although a long-term project, would have encroachments on the base and thus it needs to be done correctly. 16.34 MASTER CHIEF FRANK LOVE related that Admiral Underwood sends his regards to the committee and thanks it for all its work. He reminded the committee that March 1, 2003, the Coast Guard will transfer from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security. He noted that Admiral Underwood has assured him that the transition will be seamless in Alaska. He passed along that Admiral Underwood said he would welcome the opportunity to visit with the committee at a future meeting in order to bring the committee up to speed with regard to the U.S. Coast Guard. CO-CHAIR WILKEN thanked all the committee staff and the U.S. Air Force staff as well. 14.36 ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the Joint Armed Services Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.