ADC Issues Invite to First PNW Conference

You are invited to the first ever Association of Defense Communities’ Pacific Northwest Defense Forum, to be held August 20-21 at the American Lake Conference Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 

Registration Open for ADC Northwest Defense Forum

View the updated agenda here.

The event will feature legislative leaders as well as national, state and local military and civilian experts on a wide range of defense issues, such as effects from the Army downsizing announcement in 2015, expanding missions for installations in the northwest, evolving community-military relations for the future, and more.

ADC’s Regional Events Series is bringing community and industry leaders from across the Northwest for a first-of-its-kind, one-day event to gather intelligence on the latest activities at DoD and on Capitol Hill, and the impact they have across the Northwest region.  This is also your chance to hear from other nearby community leaders facing similar challenges and share what works and what doesn’t.

Click here to register today - thank you and see you there!

More detailed information follows:

Building Resilient Defense Communities

In defense communities across the country, budget cuts, mission changes and defense infrastructure maintenance shortfalls are leaving installations, communities, states and partners looking for new ways to overcome uncertain obstacles.

But the challenges – and solutions – that work in one place may not work for all communities.

WHO IS ATTENDING?

•             Local and state government officials

•             Defense policy experts

•             Federal Congressional Leadership

•             Regional planners

•             Air Force, Army and Navy Leadership

•             Military families

•             Local business leaders

•             Education professionals

•             Civic planning commission volunteers

•             Non-profit leaders

•             Anyone concerned about how decisions in Washington DC will impact military installations

KEY ISSUES

Policy leaders and defense experts will discuss the pressing issues facing the Northwest Region, such as:

•             Defense Downsizing, Force Reductions and Mission Realignment

•             Mission Readiness and Defense Infrastructure Budget Shortfalls

•             The Growing Importance of Installation-Community Partnerships

•             Synchronizing Community Economic Development and Infrastructure with Current and Emerging Military Missions

•             Military Compatible Land Use and Encroachment

•             Military Family Quality of Life and Child Education

FEATURED EXPERT PANEL: STATE OF DEFENSE

Leading insiders will explore the crossroads facing the military and their host communities by sharing insight on the current environment and how emerging trends, such as force restructuring, Programmatic Change or BRAC and the defense budget uncertainty may affect how the region’s military installations and defense communities look in the future. 

REGISTRATION

Registration is only $50, which covers the full educational program, lunch and an evening networking reception. Register today HERE.

SPONSORSHIP

Show how much your organization supports defense communities, the military and families. There is a wide range of sponsorship packages available. Download sponsorship materials HERE or contact Matt Borron email or (202) 822-5256.

LOCATION

The Northwest Defense Communities Regional Forum will be held on Joint Base Lewis-McChord at the American Lakes Conference Center. For more information, visit HERE.

In the Northwestern U.S., the economic development and defense support needs can be just as unique as the culture, people and national security missions that call the region home.

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!

NW Aerospace & Defense Symposium

PNAA & PNDC will host this two-day symposium for aerospace and defense businesses, military and government leaders to discuss new developments and business opportunities in aerospace, space, defense and security.

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The Future & National Security Challenges

National Security Challenges and the Future of U.S. Military Power
with Dr. Janine Davidson

  Wednesday, January 14th @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  K&L Gates LLP
  (925 4th Avenue, 29th Floor, Seattle 98104)

  $5 Students; $10 WAC Member, $20 Non-Member

In the first event of the new year, the World Affairs Council welcomes Dr. Janine Davidson, Senior Fellow for Defense Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Davidson will discuss the changing international threat environment and how the U.S. military must rethink its role and restructure itself to better serve the national interest.

Dr. Davidson is a former U.S. Air Force pilot and has also served in various senior civilian policy positions in the Department of Defense. As deputy assistant secretary of defense for plans from 2009 to 2012, she oversaw the department's war planning and global posture policy. In 2013, Dr. Davidson was a member of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, and in 2014 was nominated to serve on the reserve forces policy board. She has appeared as an expert national security commentator in major media, including "PBS NewsHour," "Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, and BBC; and her work has been published in the "National Interest," "Foreign Affairs," "USA Today," "Washington Post," and others.

Register here.

WA Formalizes State-wide Military Alliance

Governor Jay Inslee’s official kick off of the Washington Military Alliance (WMA) marks an important victory for Washington’s military service members and families. While the WMA has existed for several years, today’s signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the Governor and key stakeholders across the state formalizes the WMA’s role.

The WMA is an alliance of business and community leaders, state legislators and agencies, and local elected officials formed to protect military and defense infrastructure and industry vitality and build and maintain military and defense partnerships statewide.  It’s being convened by the Governor and the entire Washington State Congressional Delegation.

Gov. Jay Inslee was joined by more than 20 military and economic develop- ment leaders for the launch of the Washington Military Alliance, a diverse group of military and defense stakeholders representing industry, infrastructure, veteran, workforce and economic development interests across the state. The governor is asking WMA to help the state prepare for the impacts of U.S. Department of Defense reductions in military assets.

“The military and defense sector is an economic backbone for many Washington communities and a priority industry sector for economic development statewide,” Gov. Inslee said. “As the DOD reduces military assets around the country, we want to make sure our communities and our military personnel are prepared and ready. By planning ahead, we can make sure Washington remains in a strong position to support our military and defense infrastructure, its diverse industry supply chain and the tens of thousands of jobs associated with this industry.”

The WMA will provide a forum for collaboration in the state among local governments, military installations, state agencies and federal agencies.  It will serve as a policy adviser to the governor, other state agencies, the Legislature and others. “We welcome (Gov. Inslee’s) personal commitment to represent Washington at the gubernatorial level to engage on how issues of national defense play out within the fifty states.  For example, we sincerely appreciate your administration’s response to the recent Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment,” said John Caulfield, Chair, Executive Leadership Team, South Sound Military & Communities Partnership. 

The group was originally convened to collaborate on production of the Washington Military Alliance Report, which identified impacts to Washington’s military and defense infrastructure and develop initial recommendations in response to a possible Base Realignment and Closure Commission action. Gov. Inslee reconvened the group to ensure the state’s ongoing response and preparation during DOD deliberations.

“With 10 military-related installations, thousands of military and defense works, and over 1,500 companies supporting defense work in our communities across the state, it is now more important than ever that the state come together to develop a strong strategy to protect the infrastructure, promote the industry and support workforce development that keeps our economy strong and shows Washington as the strong partner to DOD it is,” said John Powers, executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance.

“One core tenet of our statewide economic development and competitiveness strategy focuses on developing opportunities in key industry sectors. Standing up the WMA replicates an approach to industry collaboration that has been extremely successful in aerospace, with the Washington Aerospace Partnership. These effective public-private partnerships are necessary to ensure that Washington is highly competitive for the jobs today and well into the future,” said state Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.

“With such diverse military industry, missions, needs and opportunities, and a different stakeholder group for every aspect of an issue related to the military and defense community, it was important to the governor and the federal congressional delegation to convene a group of diverse military community stakeholders to come together with one voice in response to potential cuts to defense spending,” said Rich Hadley, president emeritus of Greater Spokane Incorporated.

The WMA will provide a forum for collaboration in the state among local governments, military installations, state agencies and federal agencies. It will serve as a policy adviser to the governor, other state agencies, the Legislature and others.  “Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is the major economic impact in Pierce County and the largest single-employer worksite in Washington State. Our community recognizes the necessity of state leadership in sustaining the installation’s military mission,” said Tom Pierson, Pres./CEO, Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber. “The state can help local efforts to chart a course through the challenges ahead and to take advantage of the inevitable opportunities that occur with anticipated changes,” he concluded.

In 2012, Washington’s military industry accounted for 136,000 jobs and $15.7 billion in economic activity. Washington is the sixth-most military populous in the nation, with personnel at bases and assets throughout the state. The industry supports military personnel as well as civilian jobs in cybersecurity, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and information and communications technology.  

Links:

Website: www.WAMilitaryAlliance.org

Facebook: WAMilitaryAlliance

Twitter: @WAMilAffairs

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

Sequestration Prompts Force Reductions at JBLM

The US Army has released a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) for additional reductions in response to the current Congressional Sequestration budget (and defense) reductions.

You may also refer to the US Air Force's response to the current Congressional Sequestration budget (and defense) at our earlier C-9 Blog article.

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Pacific NW Defense Symposium

This full-day program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the PNDC's largest event of the year.

They’re excited to feature Gov. Inslee; Major General Ferrell and other senior leaders from local military installations; Honorable Norm Dicks and Slade Gorton and senior staff from our Congressional delegation in DC; a defense expert from the Congressional Research Service; and many others.

If you register this late, you will have to access JBLM through the McChord Visitor Center. 

Please see the attached press release and flier. (Click on Image for a Larger and Complete View)

The event site also contains helpful info: www.NWdefense.com

Symposium on Pacific Strategic Balance

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WA Adds Military Sector Lead to Commerce Dept

Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender recently named Kristiné Reeves as the Military and Defense sector lead team in the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness.

“Our sector-based economic development strategy is a reflection of the fact that we face intense international and interstate competition for good jobs. We have to be constantly vigilant about identifying opportunities and strategies for cultivating employers in Washington,” said Bonlender.  “We can’t rely on luck for the next Boeing, Microsoft or Amazon to develop here.”

Reeves will serve as Military and Defense sector lead. She spent the last five years working on veterans and military issues as statewide constituency coordinator for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.  Her work included building strong relationships with Army and Navy leadership as well as military transition and workforce development issues around the state.

Reeves joins Maura Little, (Life Sciences and Global Health), Will Saunders, (Information and Communication Technology),  Alex Pietsch (Aerospace) and Steve Sewell (Maritime) to represent the State of Washington in their respective industry sectors.  They are tasked with identifying and pursuing new economic development strategies that keep Washington State in the forefront of these key industries, and advance the Governor’s goal of targeted company recruitment, retention and expansion.

The Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness supports the Governor’s Working Washington Jobs Agenda, which recognizes that these sectors are critical to our future prosperity --  if these industries are doing well, our economy will be doing well.

Forces 2020 Realignment Decision

Today the Department of the Army announced force structure and stationing decisions associated with the active component end-strength reduction of 80,000 soldiers, resulting in an Army end-strength of 490,000 by 2017.

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A BCT will inactivate at each of the following locations by 2017:  Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Campbell, Ky; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Stewart, Ga., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.   Two BCTs, stationed at Baumholder and Grafenwoehr, Germany, will complete their inactivation in Fiscal Year 2013, leaving two BCTs in Europe to fulfill strategic commitments.

Based on extensive analysis, the lessons of a dozen years of combat and the need to increase operational capability and flexibility, the Army will make the following changes to its force structure:

• Reorganize infantry and armor brigade combat teams (BCTs) to restore the third maneuver battalion and increase engineer and fires capability.
• Reduce active component BCTs from 45 modular to 33 reorganized BCTs.
• Continue growth in aviation, special operations, missile defense and cyber capabilities.

This active component force structure, in conjunction with Army National Guard and Army Reserve capabilities, supports the current defense strategy and meets combatant command requirements through regional alignment of forces and global responsiveness for contingencies.

The decision to restructure armor and infantry BCTs helps mitigate the loss of BCTs by eliminating the headquarters but preserving 13 Armor and Infantry battalions that would be lost without the reorganization.

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Stationing decisions necess- itated by the reductions and reorgan- ization were based on a compre- hensive analysis of installation quantitative and qualitative considerations to include training, power projection, well-being, expansibility, regeneration, geographic distribution, environmental and socio-economic impacts, cost, and alignment with the defense strategy. Opportunities for community input  were included through both the programmatic environment assessment public comment period and community listening sessions  conducted in parallel with the military value analysis and qualitative stationing analysis, prior to the final decision.

The reduction of 80,000 soldiers from the force represents a 14 percent reduction across the AC force. The specific impacts of these decisions on individual installations are being provided to affected Congressional delegations. The Army will conduct Congressional notification in accordance with Section 993, Title 10 U.S.C. prior to taking any irrevocable actions to implement these decisions.

These reductions are consistent with fiscal constraints resulting from the Budget Control Act of 2011 and defense planning guidance issued in 2012, but do not reflect  additional reductions that will be required if sequestration-driven funding reductions remain unmitigated.

For more information on this release, please contact Lt. Col. Peggy Kageleiry at 703-697-7550 or Wayne Hall at 703-693-7589, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Army.

New Contract Supports Marines and Air Force Special Ops Missions

The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. and Boeing has been

Image courtesy Bell BoeingV-22 Program

awarded a five-year U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) contract for the production and delivery of 99 V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

This includes 92 MV-22 models for the U.S. Marine Corps and seven CV-22 models for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.

Valued at approximately $6.5 billion, the contract is structured to provide nearly $1 billion in savings to the U.S. government compared with procurements through single-year contracts. The contract also includes a provision permitting NAVAIR to order up to 23 additional aircraft.

"Signing this contract speaks volumes towards the confidence our services have in the V-22 Osprey," said Marine Corps Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 Joint Program Office program manager.  "Since 2007, the V-22 has been continuously forward-deployed in a range of combat, humanitarian, and special operations roles. Ospreys continue to transform our Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force and Air Force Special Operations by enabling missions not possible with conventional aircraft, and helped save lives where others could not."

The V-22 Osprey is a joint service, multi-role combat aircraft that uses tilt-rotor technology to combine the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane with the vertical performance of a helicopter. With its nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, its nacelles can be rotated to transform the aircraft into a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

"The versatile V-22 Osprey is the ideal aircraft for an era when global militaries are being asked to do more with less," said Vince Tobin, executive director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program. "It gives operators the ability to achieve groundbreaking operational efficiencies and maximize the use of precious resources like time, money and personnel.  This contract will enable us to most efficiently build and deliver this aircraft to current and future customers around the world."

More than 200 V-22 Ospreys are currently in operation and the worldwide fleet has amassed more than 185,000 flight hours, with half of those hours logged in the past three years.

About Bell Boeing:  Bell Boeing is a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. and Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. Follow Boeing on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.