Table of Contents
Contacts
Thursday, May 29
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Tour
The 2005 BRAC Report directed the establishment of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. On July 30, 2010, the 673d Air Base Wing (ABW) activated as the host wing combining installation management functions of Elmendorf Air Force Base's 3rd Wing and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Richardson. The installation hosts the headquarters for the United States Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, U.S. Army Alaska, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. The 673 ABW comprises 5,500 joint military and civilian personnel, supporting and enabling three Air Force total-force wings, two Army brigades and 75 associate and tenant units. (Source: JBER web site)
- Welcome and Base overview by JBER Leadership
- Observe Airborne facilities: F-22s
- Lunch – Iditarod Dining Facility
- JBER Hospital
- Windshield tour of base
- Landfill natural gas power plant
- Discussion of JBER Joint Land Use Study, Richard Solander, Office of Economic Adjustment, U.S Department of Defense, Washington, D.C. PDF PRESENTATION
Friday, May 30
NCSL Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force Convenes
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Co-chair Opening Remarks: Representative Dan Flynn, Texas
- Welcome from Alaska: Representative Dan Saddler, Alaska
- Self Introductions: Task Force Members and Guests
- Review of Agenda and Recent NCSL Military and Veterans State Policy Activities: Jim Reed, NCSL
Welcoming Remarks and Overview of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Speakers:
- McHugh Pierre, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
- Verdie Bowen, Director, Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs
Military Sustainability: Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program Update and Recent Alaska Legislation on military facility zones
Speaker: Representative Steve Thompson, Alaska
DoD Office of Economic Adjustment: Defense Industry Adjustment Process
Speaker: Gary Willis, Program Lead, Office of Economic Adjustment, U.S. Department of Defense, Washington, D.C. PDF PRESENTATION
Renewable Energy Development & DoD: State Policy Options
Speaker: William Van Houten, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations &Environment), Washington, D.C. (By telephone) PDF PRESENTATION
Sexual Assault Prevention in the Military
Speakers:
- Octavia L. Thompson, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Alaska National Guard, JBER PDF PRESENTATION
- Lt. Col. Kay Spear-Budd, State Family Program Director, Alaska National Guard, JBER
Impact of National Guard Cutbacks on States
Speaker: Major General Thomas H. Katkus, Alaska Adjutant General and Commissioner, Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs PDF PRESENTATION
Alaska State Employment and Job Training Services for Veterans
Speakers:
- James Hastings, Alaska Employment Transition Coordinator, Hero2Hired Program, U.S. Department of Defense
- Steve Williams, State of Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development – Veterans Services PDF PRESENTATION
- Joey Crum, CEO, Northern Industrial Training, Anchorage, Alaska. This company provides job training for veterans who use the GI Bill to enter the trades program.
Veterans’ Occupational Licensing & Certification: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
Speaker: Elise Shanbacker, National Governors Association, Washington, D.C.
PDF PRESENTATION
PDF PRESENTATION
PDF PRESENTATION
Overview of State Legislative Enactments in Military and Veterans Affairs for 2014
Speaker: Jennifer Schultz, NCSL PDF PRESENTATION
Task Force Roundtable and Discussion of Next task Force Meeting at Legislative Summit, August 19 in Minneapolis
Members will discuss recent enactments in their home states to sustain military installations and assist veterans. (Task force members please be prepared to discuss key enactments from your state during the recent legislative session.)
Saturday, May 31
Optional for Military Task Force Members
NCSL Executive Committee Activities: If interested, please inquire on-site