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