Freedom Award Nominations URL

Army Commission Announces Chairman, Vice Chair

Retired Army Gen. Carter Ham, who most recently served as commander of U.S. Africa Command, will lead the National Commission on the Future of the U.S. Army, the commission announced last week.

Thomas Lamont, who served as assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs from 2009 to 2013, will be the panel’s vice chair.

The commission, created by the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill, will assess the structure and size of the Army, determine the proper force mixture of the active and reserve components, and conduct policy analysis to document how policies affect mission requirements, according to a press release. Its findings are due Feb. 1, 2016.

The commission will need to settle the dispute over transferring the National Guard’s AH-64 Apaches helicopters to the active Army as well as tackle the long-troubled relationship between all three components of the Army, John Goheen, spokesman for the National Guard Association of the United States, told Breaking Defense.

“They have a lot to see and a lot of decisions to make before they can write the report,” Goheen said. “They’ve a fairly narrow window to meet that 1 February deadline,” he said.

The remaining six members of the commission, appointed by either President Obama or leaders of the Armed Services committees, are:
• Larry Ellis, president and CEO of VetConnexx, a retired general who commanded Army Forces Command from 2001 to 2004;
• Kathleen Hicks, director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former director for policy planning at the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy;
• Jack Stultz, a retired lieutenant general who was commanding general of Army Reserve Command from 2006 to 2012.
• J.D. Thurman, a retired general who served as the commander of U.S. Forces Korea and previously served as commander of Army Forces Command;
• Raymond Chandler, served as sergeant major of the Army until January 2015; and
• Robert Hale, former Pentagon comptroller who now is Booz Allen Hamilton’s public policy representative.

WNG Offers ASIST Training

The Washington National Guard is offering ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training:

Veteran Hiring Event (Open to the public)

 Veteran Hiring Event (Open to the public) May 28th 2014 9am - 3pm.
Opportunity to meet over 40+ area businesses and discuss career opportunities.

This event is open to the public. Please bring your resume and dress to impress.

Guard Springs into Action - You Can Too

The Washington National Guard offers activities for kids and parents with its Spring into Action event May 31. 

(Click on Image for a Larger and Complete View)

WNG's Oso Landslide Response at Military Forum

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM
Military Affairs Committee




Date & Time: WEDNESDAY, May 14, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place: La Quinta Inn, 1425 E. 27th St., Tacoma 98421
Price:  $15.00 pre-paid
          $20.00 walk-ins/at the door
Information: Janice Hutchins, (253) 627.2175 X100
RSVP:  DUE 12 noon, May 12 (Monday) ?
REGISTER HERE!  (to be linked)

FORUM SPONSOR: 






The Military Affairs Forum works to enhance communication and opportunities between the civilian community and defense installations.

“WNG’s Oso Landslide Response and Domestic Ops”

 BG Turner is the Assistant Adjutant General - Army and Commander of the 6,200 Soldiers of the Washington Army National Guard.  He and his team will brief on the Washington National Guard's role in Domestic Operations and the National Guard response and effort for the Oso landslide.


Brigadier General Wallace Turner
Assistant Adjutant General - Army
Commander of the Washington Army National Guard




COL Gregg Allan
Chief of Staff of the Washington Army National Guard

LTC Curt Simonson
G3 Operations Officer
Washington Army National Guard

CPT Joseph Siemandel
Public Affairs Officer
Washington National Guard

FUTURE EVENT:
June 18, with Tacoma Yacht Club, Evergreen Fleet Cruise (RSVP Deadline:  June 13, 2014)

Nominations Open for Military-Citizen Award

Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen compose a vital part of our community.  The Chamber wishes to recognize, with the 35th annual presentation, the John Anderson Military-Citizen of the Year.

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee will make the selection of the honoree.  Presentation of the award, named for John Anderson, former Mayor of Tacoma and Chairman of the Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber, will be made November 7, 12 noon at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Tacoma No. 8.

You are requested to submit nominees for this award.  The guidelines are:

1)   An active-duty Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine.  Reservists and Guardsmen called to active duty are eligible.

2)  Residing in Tacoma or Pierce County

3)  Professional in military occupation

4)  An exemplary volunteer in the community

Nominations should be no longer than two pages, no photos.  While military professionalism is important, this is usually a given standard.  It is recommended that the nomination focus on the nominee's volunteerism in the community.  You are referenced to the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, which has been added to the list of awards and decorations that earn promotion points. 

The deadline for submitting nominations is Nov. 1.  Nominations may be delivered to the Chamber’s offices, forwarded by mail, email (gary.brackett@tacomachamber.org) or fax.  Your consideration of this request is appreciated.

Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber

950 Pacific Ave., Ste. 300

Tacoma, WA  98402

PO Box 1933

Tacoma, W  98401-1933

Fax: 253-579-7305

Citizen-Soldier Award Event Scheduled

(click on image for a larger view)

Adjutant General Reappointed

Governor Jay Inslee today announced his picks to head up the state’s Military Department.

Major General Bret D. Daugherty is being reappointed to his position as Adjutant General of the Washington Military Department. He serves as commander of Washington’s Army and National Guard forces and oversees the state’s Emergency Management and Enhanced 911 programs.

“Maj. Gen. Daugherty has done an outstanding job since taking on this role last year,” said Inslee. “I am honored that he has agreed to continue his service in my administration. He’ll be helping oversee some exciting new changes in replacing the department’s armories with more cost-effective readiness centers and will continue his leadership on important efforts such as the National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force.”

WA Gets New AG

Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced Brigadier General Bret D. Daugherty as Adjutant General of the State of Washington. In that role, Daugherty will serve as commander of all Washington Army and Air National Guard forces and Director of the State's Emergency Management and Enhanced 911 programs.

He will also serve as Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of Washington and as State Administrative Agent for all United States Department of Homeland Security grants awarded to Washington's state, local, tribal and non-profit agencies and organizations.

Daugherty replaces Major General Timothy J. Lowenberg who is retiring after more than 44 years of military service, with 13 of those years serving as Adjutant General.

“General Daugherty brings the skills, leadership and teamwork that are critical to the ongoing success of the Washington National Guard and Emergency Management Department,” Gregoire said. “His record of experience and impressive background will serve the state well. He leads both by serving and by building a strong team around him.”

Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member, U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said, “I congratulate General Daugherty on his appointment and thank General Lowenberg for four decades of outstanding service to our state. I also look forward to working closely with General Daugherty within the coming months.”

Daugherty assumed duties as Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Washington National Guard and as Commander, Washington Army National Guard in 2009. Daugherty has been responsible for the coordination of policies, programs and plans affecting the Washington Army National Guard and has ensured the recruitment and career management of soldiers and leaders.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to serve Governor Gregoire, the Washington Military Department and the people of the State of Washington," said Brigadier General Bret Daugherty.

Daugherty attended Seattle University where he was awarded an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship. Upon graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate in June of 1980, he was commissioned as a Regular Army Second Lieutenant. He left active duty in 1989 and joined the Washington Army National Guard in 1990.

Gregoire also thanked Lowenberg for his years of service. “General Lowenberg has been an invaluable advisor and confidant to me since the day I became governor,” Gregoire said. “His leadership at the state and national level on military issues, homeland security and domestic preparedness are second to none.”

Lowenberg is the second longest-serving Adjutant General since the Washington Territorial Militia was first fielded in 1855. His time in office is second only to Major General Maurice Thompson, a Washington National Guard icon who served for nearly half of a century in the Guard; 27 of those years as Adjutant General. His administration will be remembered for its transformational leadership and change during a crucial time in the history of our nation and the National Guard.

A change of command ceremony between Lowenberg and Daugherty will take place on Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at the 66th Theater Aviation Command readiness center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Fairchild In Competition for KC-46

The Air Force announced on May 14 the basing criteria for the candidate locations of the KC-46A tanker's formal training unit and first two main operating bases.

Active Duty units will lead the FTU and first main operating base (MOB 1), while an Air National Guard unit will oversee MOB 2, said service officials. The FTU and MOB 1 are scheduled to begin receiving aircraft in Fiscal 2016; MOB 2 will get its airplanes in Fiscal 2018, they said.

The FTU basing criteria include: mission (proximity of aircraft available to support air refueling training, student throughput, aircrew training systems, fuels considerations, and potential to establish an association), capacity (hangars, runway, ramp space, and facility considerations), environmental requirements, and cost factors. The MOBs' basing criteria include mission (proximity to refueling receiver demand; airfield and airspace availability; fuels considerations; and potential to establish an association), capacity, environmental requirements, and cost factors.

Based on the results for Fairchild AFB and about 60 other Air Force bases, the Air Force plans to announce KC-46A preferred and reasonable alternatives and begin the environmental impact analysis process (EIAP) for the FTU and MOB 1 in December 2012. Likewise, the Air Force plans to announce the preferred and reasonable alternatives and begin the EIAP for MOB 2 in the spring of 2013.

Once service officials have identified and announced the candidate bases, Air Mobility Command will conduct site surveys at them. The Air Force plans to announce the preferred locations and alternatives for the FTU and MOB 1 in December 2012, and for MOB 2 in spring 2013.

Governor Declares State Emergency

Gov. Chris Gregoire has declared a state of emergency due to this week's snow and ice storm, according to the Secretary of State's office. This authorizes the use of the National Guard.

CANX: WNG's Night at the Museum

CANCELLED

Washington National Guard Museum

The Arsenal, Camp Murray, WA 98430

Where the History of Washington’s Militia Comes Alive!

On behalf of the 
Washington National Guard

State Historical Society 
Board of Directors

and the Staff of the

Washington National Guard Museum

Please join us for

Night at the Museum

** An Open House **

Wednesday January 18^th, 2012

6:00 PM

light refreshments will be served

See us on the web at http://washingtonguard.org/museum/ FACEBOOK HTTP://www.FACEBOOK.COM/WNGSHS

Please RSVP to 253-512-7834
Directions enclosed

AUSA Raffle for Soldiers

WNG Job & Resource Fair

WNG Mission Change

The National Guard Bureau, on behalf of Department of Defense (DoD) and in collaboration with the states, has selected Ohio and Washington as the first two states to host a homeland response force (HRF), which will be comprised of National Guard soldiers and airmen and established no later than the end of fiscal 2011.

The creation of the HRFs is a part of DoD's larger reorganization of its chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive (CBRNE) consequence management enterprise, initiated during the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review. This reorganization will ensure DoD has a robust ability to respond rapidly to domestic CBRNE incidents while recognizing the primary role that the governors play in controlling the response to incidents that occur in their states.

Department of Defense plans to establish a total of 10 homeland response force (HRF) units nation-wide, with one HRF in each of the ten federal emergency management agency (EMA) regions. HRFs will provide a regional response capability of approximately 570 personnel composed of CBRNE specialists, command and control and security forces. HRFs will self-deploy by ground within six to 12 hours of an event, bringing life-saving medical, search and extraction, decontamination, security, and command and control capabilities- this represents a dramatic improvement in response time and life-saving capability to the previous construct.

Coincident with the creation of the Ohio and Washington HRFs, the department will create two new (CBRNE) enhanced response force packages (CERFPs) in Indiana and Alabama to replace the Ohio and Washington CERFPs that will evolve into HRFs. CERFPs are composed of existing National Guard units that are trained to respond to a weapon of mass destruction incident. The CERFP capabilities include: locate and extract victims from a contaminated environment, perform mass patient/casualty decontamination, and provide medical treatment as necessary to stabilize patients for evacuation.

The National Guard Bureau is currently analyzing and staffing the selection for the remaining eight HRFs and potential backfill CERFP states. Further information will be released as it becomes available.