Rep. A. Smith's Statement on Opposition to NDAA

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement announcing his opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act:

Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the Budget Control Act caps are extremely damaging and as long as Congress fails to enact a solution, a variety of key national priorities will continue to suffer. I understand that finding a compromise to remove the caps has been elusive, but that does not justify the use of gimmicks to protect one part of the budget, and shortchange other portions that are vitally important to the future of our country. Even worse, this short-term work-around does not enable the Department of Defense to undertake long term planning or provide the certainty that they can count on such funding in the future.  I have great respect for Chairman Thornberry, but I cannot vote for this bill under these circumstances.

The National Defense Authorization Act has never been perfect. And it will never be perfect. What matters most is that, on balance, this bill represents a commitment to our national security, and to the individuals who we ask to stand watch and execute the missions necessary to ensure our security.  In today’s dangerous and unpredictable world, we must ensure that our military has the resources and tools that it needs to meet the threats of today as well as tomorrow.

However, that is just one piece of the puzzle. Maintaining our national security requires more than a strong military. If we do not have a strong economy, and build a solid foundation for future generations, then we cannot ensure our national security in the long term. If we stop investing in the American people, then we are undermining our national security and cutting short the promise of America. Unfortunately, the National Defense Authorization Act sends the message that we are only willing to fulfill half of that promise.

The White House has also made it clear that they will veto this bill as well as other appropriations bills that reflect a similar approach. Congress is wasting time with this dead-end approach. In the coming months, it is my hope that the House, Senate and President can come together and strike a compromise to remove the budget caps and move forward with a responsible approaching to budgeting.

2015 Northwest Aerospace & Defense Symposium

The 2015 Northwest Aerospace & Defense Symposium will increase your awareness of and ability to pursue current and upcoming defense, aerospace, and national security initiatives and contracts.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
• Moon Duk-ho, Consul General, Republic of Korea
• Pamela Munoz, Mission & Installation Contracting Director, JBLM 
• Katrina Jones, Defense Market Analysis Director, Aerospace Analytics
• Fred Smith, Mobility, Surveillance & Engagement, Boeing Military Aircraft
• Anthony Waas, Professor of Aerostructures, University of Washington
• J.J. Gertler, Defense Policy & Arms Control Manager, Congressional Research Svc.
• Jim Nam, International Security Cooperation, Planning, and Strategy, US Air Force
• Dr. Roger Myers, Executive Director, Advanced In-Space Programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne
• Col. Scott McLaughlin, Commander, 446th Airlift Wing
• Isaac Potoczny-Jones, Computer Security Research Lead, Galois
• Ron Stearns, Research Director, Aerospace Analytics 
• Lewis Hedge, First Secretary, Defense Acquisition Policy and Trade, British Embassy
• Chin Hsing (Andy Chin), Director-General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

May 28-29, 2015, JBLM
Hosted by PNDC  and PNAA
Register here!

Media Responds to News of Army RIF

The South Sound Military and Communities Partnership featured Congressman Denny Heck responding to a panel of local business owners and government department heads about the proposed reduction in force up to 16,000 civilian and military jobs at JBLM.


The Suburban Times:
Rep. Denny Heck Speaks on Potential JBLM Cuts 

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber C-9 Blog:
State Ups Ante for Potential Army RIF

City of Lakewood:
Rep. Denny Heck Speaks on Potential JBLM Cuts

City of Lakewood (YouTube):
Denny Heck speaks on potential JBLM reductions #IamLakewood  

The News Tribune:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating 

Olympian:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating

Bellingham Herald:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News:
JBLM Job Cuts

KING5.com:
JBLM neighbors encouraged to speak up about potential cuts

Northwest Airlifter/Ranger: 
JBLM cuts on the horizon: South Sound leaders mobilize to soften blow

3 Critical Issues at Special MAF

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Military Affairs Committee
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Date & Time:  Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27th St. | Tacoma 98421
Register: Online here.

AGENDA: 

The JBLM JLUS (Joint Land Use Study)
Doug Richardson, District 6
Pierce County Councilmember

The JBLM JLUS (Joint Land Use Study) is designed to create a collective regional dialogue around sometimes complex issues of balancing military operational demands and mission changes with the region’s and local communities’ land use plans, economic development and infrastructure needs, and goals for environmental sustainability. The study area generally encompasses those communities within two miles of the JBLM boundary, evaluating existing or potential conflicts with the military installation’s operations.

Resource: Project Website

2013 JBLM Survey Results
Mary Huff, Interim Project Manager
City of Lakewood – SSMCP

Over 5,000 people who live and/or work on Joint Base Lewis-McChord responded to the SSMCP Needs and Preferences Survey in October 2013.  Ms. Huff will summarize those results from a regional perspective, and also highlight some of the key findings specific to Pierce County.  Topics will include servicemembers’ perceptions of safety and other quality of life issues in their communities; housing choices; and career/education plans for those servicemembers transitioning off active duty in the next two years.

Resource: Executive Summary

Overview Briefing on PSEA for Army Forces Reduction
Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

A staff review of the Preliminary Supplementary Environmental Assessment for Army Forces Reduction. Gary Brackett will present an overview of the PSEA for Army Forces Reduction (and USAF planning for reducing C-17s at McChord Field) – and the planning for a community-inclusive response to the potential worst-case loss of 16,000 soldiers from JBLM.


Resources for Background:
US Army Environmental Command Press Release
2014 Supplement for Army Forces Realignment (Open for public comment until Aug. 25, 2014)
USAF Force Structure C-17 Reduction Plans

Smith Offers 2017 BRAC Amendment

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith offered an amendment to the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act designed to allow the Department of Defense to find important savings that can be applied to urgent readiness and training requirements yet distinguish it from the previous round in important ways.

“Given that the last BRAC round transformed more than it closed and has cost more and saved less than original estimates, members of Congress have justifiable reservations about giving the Department of Defense authority to conduct another round. But this should be a congressionally led process. We have a stake in the outcome,” said Ranking Member Smith. “With these concerns in mind, this legislation will create a transparent, deliberative, and independent process. In order to protect military readiness and other important programs, Congress should provide authority for the next BRAC round and should adopt these reforms to strengthen the process and avoid the problems that plagued the previous round.”

A New BRAC Process

In light of current budget conditions, DoD cannot afford another “transformation” BRAC similar to the 2005 round. The next BRAC must be focused on generating savings. To ensure this, the proposal requires the Secretary of Defense to certify to Congress that the primary objective of a new BRAC round would be to eliminate excess infrastructure and reconfigure the remaining infrastructure to maximize efficiency. In addition, any realignments or changes to infrastructure must yield net savings within five years of completing the action, savings that could be applied to other readiness requirements sooner.

To control cost and scope, the proposal would require DoD to submit master plans for each recommendation transmitted to the independent BRAC commission. These master plans would include the costs, scope, and timing of each construction activity. As the commission adjusts recommendations, the master plans would also be adjusted. Once a closure or realignment is approved, the master plan associated with each closure or realignment would be the binding authority for expending funds from the BRAC account. Any proposal to carry out a construction activity not included in the master plan would require a specific authorization from Congress.

The proposal would strengthen the independent commission and improve transparency in the BRAC process. To do this, the commission would be required to certify that it has sufficient staff to review the Secretary of Defense’s recommendations, and additional time to consider public comments, receive testimony, and conduct additional site visits. In addition, the information used by the Secretary of Defense to develop recommendations would be made easily available to the public for review, including the unclassified assessment data on the condition of facilities and infrastructure, the environmental baseline of known contamination and remediation activities, and the standard rules used to calculate annual recurring savings.

“The Department of Defense estimates it has excess infrastructure capacity, and this excess takes money away from training, maintenance, and operations.  In the current budget environment, where important programs are being cut across the board, this is a waste of scare resources,” continued Smith.

Military Appropriations Includes Review of Roads

Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted 416-1 to pass H.R. 4486, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2015.

Language originally offered by Rep. Denny Heck (WA-10) was included in the report accompanying the bill. Heck’s language calls for changes to how the Department of Defense allocates funding for road construction near and on military installations.

In the bill now sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration, the DoD is directed to review potential road construction and expansion programs appropriate for the Defense Access Roads program, the only existing DoD program that provides funding for public highway improvements in and around military installations.

The level of congestion around our area is unsustainable for both military readiness and economic activity, said Congressman Denny Heck of Washington’s 10th District. I will continue to work closely with the committee to identify ways to upgrade the transportation infrastructure around bases such as Joint Base Lewis-McChord as soon as possible.

More than 60 years old, the DAR program was created when bases were expected to be located in relatively undeveloped regions, and no changes have been made to the program since 1978. The designated funding process forces highway improvement projects to compete with other construction projects like barracks, mission facilities, and maintenance buildings. Military installations located near urban areas often fail to qualify for DAR funding due to restrictive eligibility criteria.

The Committee on Appropriations states in its report:
                                                                                               
Defense Access Roads project timeline.—The Committee is very concerned about the lack of use of the Defense Access Roads program within the Department of Defense. The Committee has heard of many worthwhile road construction/expansion projects in and around military installations that are in great need of funding. These projects would provide a great benefit to the installations and the surrounding communities. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to review needed projects around military installations as well as a timeline on when those projects will be completed and report back to the Committee not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. If the Department cannot provide a timeline, they should explain how the program can be changed to meet those requirements.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

U.S. Pacific Command Commander Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear (who served on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea Commander Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti (CG, I Crops & JBLM in 2010-11) testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on "U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2015 and the Future Years Defense Program." 

Congressman Sponsors Imminent Federal Contracting Workshop

Congressman Derek Kilmer is hosting a Federal Contracting Workshop this coming Monday.

Register HERE. 

(Click on Image for a Larger View)

Sequestration Dance Continues

From today's Congressional hearing about sequestration, you may hear & see on YouTube this clip from the House Armed Services Committee meeting at which Cong. Derek Kilmer asked our Senior Military leaders about the impacts of sequestration and a potential government shutdown on our military readiness and DoD civilian workforce.

For a fuller overview of the hearing, including the quote of Cong. Kilmer's quip about sequestration, “it is a Latin word meaning stupid,” see this link to Defense News 09/18/2013.

Readers are reminded that sequestration cut $500 B. from the Defense budget in 2013, and proposes to continue by cutting $52 B./yr. X 10 years.

Representative Kilmer on CODEL to Afghanistan

House Armed Services Committee Member and U.S. Representative for WA District 6 Derek Kilmer returned from Afghanistan on Friday after a three-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL).

 

Representative Kilmer met with leadership of the United States and Afghan militaries.  Kilmer also met with American service members including constituents from Washington’s 6th District. 

 

Pictured: Kilmer meets with soldiers, primarily from Washington and California, at Forward Operating Base Lightning which supports training of Members of the Afghan National Security Forces.

Air Force Announces KC-46A Preferred and Reasonable Alternatives

Air Force officials announced today the preferred and reasonable alternatives for the first KC-46A Tanker aircraft training and main operating bases.  The Air Force must now conduct the necessary environmental analysis before making a final basing decision in Spring 2014

Altus Air Force Base, Okla., is the preferred alternative for the KC-46A formal training unit.

McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., is the preferred alternative for the first active duty-led KC-46A main operating base.

Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., are the reasonable alternatives.

The preferred alternative for the first Air National Guard KC-46A main operating base is Pease Air Guard Station, N.H.  The reasonable alternatives are Forbes Air Guard Station, Kan.; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.; Pittsburgh International Airport Air Guard Station, Pa., and Rickenbacker Air Guard Station, Ohio.

Congressman Adam Smith said, “I respect and appreciate how the Air Force has conducted this process, but  it is disappointing that Fairchild Air Force Base was not chosen as the Air Force’s preferred host for KC-46A,” Smith said. “I still believe that Fairchild’s capacity and accommodations for the tanker, strategic location, tremendous community support, and proven track record of serving our nation’s aerial refueling effort with the KC-135 make the base an ideal home for the next generation of tankers.  The Washington Congressional delegation has and will continue to work together to promote Fairchild’s capacity to host future tankers.”

"The Air Force chose these locations using operational analysis, results of site surveys and military judgment factors," said Timothy Bridges, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations.

"Bringing the KC-46A online is an important step in recapitalizing a tanker fleet that has been a leader in air refueling for more than five decades," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III said. "This new age aircraft will achieve better mission-capable rates with less maintenance downtime, improving our ability to respond with rapid, global capability to assist U.S., joint, allied and coalition forces and better support humanitarian missions."

Welsh explained the 179 planned KC-46A aircraft are just the first phase of a three-phase effort to replace more than 400 KC-135 and 59 KC-10 aircraft.  The first phase of tanker recapitalization will complete deliveries in fiscal 2028.  He went on to emphasize the importance of continuing KC-135 modernization efforts.

"I want to stress that the KC-135 units not replaced with the KC-46A will continue to fly the KC-135R for the foreseeable future," Welsh said. "Throughout tanker recapitalization, the Air Force is committed to ensuring continued support of combatant commander requirements."

"The Air Force began the Environmental Impact Analysis Process in April 2013," Bridges said. "We look forward to the inputs provided from the communities as we proceed through the environmental impact analysis."

"Once the requirements of the environmental impact analysis process are complete, the Air Force will make its final basing decision," he said.

The KC-46A will provide improved capability, including boom and drogue refueling on the same sortie, world-wide navigation and communication, airlift capability on the entire main deck floor, receiver air refueling, improved force protection and survivability, and multi-point air refueling capability.

The formal training unit and the first main operating base will begin receiving aircraft in fiscal 2016. The second main operating base will receive aircraft in fiscal 2018.

For more information, please contact Ann Stefanek, Air Force Public Affairs, at 703-695-0640 or email.

CIC's DOD Budget Proposal

President Barack Obama today sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $526.6 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund defense programs in the base budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014. 

The FY 2014 request does yet not include a detailed budget for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).  Decisions regarding force levels in Afghanistan were delayed until February of this year to provide commanders time to assess wartime needs fully.  A separate OCO request is being prepared and will be submitted to Congress in the coming weeks.

Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined here.

For more information and to view the entire FY 2014 budget proposal, please visit here  and download the "FY 2014 Budget Request Overview Book."  Budget-related transcripts will be available later today here.

The Department of Defense released a document today summarizing decisions made in support of the fiscal year 2014 President's Budget submission.

The document, "Defense Budget Priorities and Choices -- Fiscal Year 2014," is available here.

Continuing Resolution Alleviates Defense Budget

The signing of the Continuing Resolution (CR) for the 2013 budget H.R. 933, has occurred without a great deal of fanfare.

However, it seems to have solved the Army's problems with Overseas Contingency Operations, and pinching too tightly on FY2013 budget options.  The CR is viewed very positively.  A reported $10 billion is allocated for operations and maintenance for installations, but flexibility within H.R. 933 will allow defense leadership to make cuts.

But it doesn't solve sequestration. With House passage earlier, Pentagon officials have delayed furlough notices for defense civilian employees.  They're not off the hook yet, but now some deliberative time is available. 

FY2014 is another story.  The budget cuts may have to come from domestics, but the DoD budget will still need to meet a reduction of $50 billion.

CR & Sequester Force Service Cuts

As the final days get down to the sequestration deadline of March 1 and the (budget) Continuing Resolution (CR) extension until March 27, the service branches are planning for implementations to meet the mandates of the law.  Here's an Army, Air Force and Navy overview as it most directly impacts Washington state, its citizens and its economy.

It is important to remember the broad impacts on the federal budgets, but also the exemptions from the actions.  Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security as all exempt from sequestration.  Also exempted, uniformed military personnel. Of course, the proposed military pay increase has been reduced to 1%.

But civilian defense employees as well as other federal employees are subject to furloughs.  Hiring restrictions have already been applied to civilian temp workers, term workers and hiring to fill vacant positions.

By the same measure, let contracts for construction, goods and services will probably extend to the life of the contract.  The defense industrial sector and acquisitions are still being evaluated as to best alternative options.

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Air Force Prepares for Sequester

The Air Force Magazine Online reports that Air Force leaders issued a directive to the major commands on Monday intended to soften the blow of budget sequestration, said Acting Undersecretary of the Air Force Jamie Morin. "We've moved from planning and analysis to directing at least a subset of actions," said Morin during an AFA-sponsored Air Force breakfast program address in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 15. 

The new guidance is based on a Jan. 7 memo that Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh sent to Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The memo outlined the potential steps that the Air Force could take to lessen the impact of the budget sequester if it takes effect in March and the Defense Department also continues to operate under a continuing resolution, which keeps funding at Fiscal 2012 levels. Morin acknowledged that any actions that the Air Force takes will do little to prevent further severe cuts and readiness reductions if Congress does not resolve the double threat of sequestration and the continuing resolution by then.

The two-month delay to the start of budget sequestration sets up the situation where the United States—and the Pentagon—could face three major budget issues in March. Under the language of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which became law on Jan. 2, sequestration, with its significant budget cuts, is scheduled to hit the Pentagon and other federal departments on March 1. Meanwhile, at or around the same time—in late February or early March—the Treasury Department will run out of options to avoid breaching the federal debt limit, thereby raising the danger of a default.  On top of that is the fact that the continuing resolution that is currently funding the federal government at Fiscal 2012 levels expires on March 27.

Budget sequestration will severely damage Air Force readiness if it is triggered on March 1, states a memo last week from the service's leadership to Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter. According to the memo, signed by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, the Air Force can no longer simply hope Congress will avoid the postponed sequester and is therefore taking steps to blunt the effects, which in any case will have "immediate and devastating impacts to readiness."

Since combat units must have top priority, the Air Force will apply the mandated spending cuts to any units not in Afghanistan or spooling up to go there, "sacrificing preparedness for contingencies or [operations plans]," states the memo. The 18-percent reduction would be applied "disproportionately across the force," causing some units to "stand down for extended periods," with a possible "flying ‘standdown’ from late July through September.”

The sequestration effects described in the memo sent by the Air Force leadership to Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter last week assume that the service immediately takes some cost-cutting steps, but which can only slightly dampen the pain. Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh described 10 steps in the memo that they would take to minimally blunt the devastation.

These include notifying civilians of a furlough as soon as possible; implementing a hiring freeze; reviewing items in the overseas contingency operations account to "identify potential deferments"; canceling all temporary duty assignments, conferences, and symposia; halting any public-relations flying, such as airshows or memorial flyovers; curtailing purchases of office supplies, furniture, and fresh IT gear; deferring any real property maintenance by half; de-obligating or incrementally funding contracts to encompass only Fiscal 2013; and selectively halting or delaying contracts "to reduce expenditures."

The Air Force leadership must take “prudent guidance” to prepare for the possibility of a defense-wide $45 billion sequestration taking effect on March 1. The guidance will help the major commands "minimize the harmful effects" of cutting as much as 18 percent to 20 percent of the Defense Department's Fiscal 2013 budget in the last two quarters of the fiscal year. Measures that the Air Force could take to brace itself for the unprecedented short-notice spending cuts include: a civilian hiring freeze; a freeze on real property maintenance and travel; postponing small-scale purchases such as furniture and replacement IT gear; and, as a last resort, diminished flying hours and aircraft maintenance.

The services have been directed to pick cuts that are "adjustable and reversible," meaning readiness would be affected first and long-term programs last. Civilian pay is "40 percent of the Air Force operations and maintenance" line item and so would certainly be affected. 

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said "we will steel ourselves" for if sequester takes effect; there's no way to avoid some hollowing of the force.

Army Prepares for Sequestration

The Association of Defense Communities reports the Army on Wednesday ordered senior commanders to trim spending on a broad array of installation support functions, including community and recreational activities, utilities and the delivery of other services.

Overall, commanders are directed to carry out “across-the-board efficiencies” to achieve at least a 30% savings in fiscal 2013 base operations support compared to FY 2012 spending levels, according to a memo from Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno and Secretary John McHugh. The memo also orders commanders to reduce new and current contracts to minimum levels without incurring penalties.

Soon the assistant secretary for manpower & reserve affairs will issue guidance on the use of soldiers to perform installation functions.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter already authorized the services and defense agencies to consider a range of immediate actions to mitigate the possibility of deep budget cuts, such as trimming facilities maintenance, reducing base operating funding, and limiting travel, training and conferences to mitigate the possibility that the department is required to identify FY 2013 savings of about $45 billion starting in March.

The austerity measures also are needed to accommodate the likelihood that the department is funded under a continuing resolution through Sept. 30.

The directive calls for Army commanders to cease facilities sustainment activities that “are not directly connected to life, health or safety.” Commanders also should stop all restoration and modernization projects, including the facilities reduction program and projects required to allow stationing decisions to go ahead.

No earlier than Feb. 15, officials should consider cancelling third and fourth quarter ship maintenance availabilities, and aviation and ground depot-level maintenance. Officials also will need to conduct a related planning effort for further actions that would be necessary if sequestration is imposed.

The memo also directs the services to draw up contingency plans for actions that most likely would not be implemented unless sequestration is triggered March 1. Other actions include implementing an immediate civilian hiring freeze across the Army and terminating temporary employees “consistent with mission requirements.” Commanders may need to consider civilian 30-day furloughs and authorizing voluntary separation incentives furloughs. But those are “a tool of last resort.”

Funding for military personnel would be exempt from the across-the-board cuts imposed under sequestration, while funding for wartime operations and wounded warrior programs should be “fully protected” under planned budget actions. Programs that managers should attempt to protect “to the extent feasible” in drafting contingency plans include family programs, funding most directly associated with readiness and programs closely associated with the new defense strategy.

In considering cost-cutting steps affecting construction projects, managers should attempt to minimize disruption and avoid penalties.