Issue Position: Defense
Issue Position
It is said that no people support the military like the people of Alaska. Military families from across the country arrive in Alaska apprehensive about the distance their new posting is from home but quickly warm to Alaska and wonder why they ever lived anywhere else. Their commanders find that Alaska's pro-military spirit promotes morale and unit cohesion and that Alaska's unique open spaces and diverse terrain provide ideal joint training opportunities in the air, on land and at sea. Alaska's "top of the world" geographic advantage and superior logistical capabilities enable troops to quickly deploy to hotspots around the globe.
Alaska proudly hosts major Army installations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and near Delta Junction, two major Air Force installations in Anchorage and North Pole, a Marine Anti-Terrorism Battalion in Anchorage, a Navy SEALS training facility in Kodiak and major Coast Guard installations at Ketchikan, Kodiak and Sitka. Alaska is also home to America's Ground Based Missile Defense System at Fort Greely, the world class training grounds of Pacific Alaska Range Complex in eastern Interior Alaska, the Kodiak Launch Complex, one of only two spaceports on the West Coast, and important Air Force-maintained radar sites that provide top cover to the North American continent.
More than 20,000 active duty service members and 4,700 members of the Guard and Reserve serve in Alaska. Alaska's National Guard, which carries on the proud legacy of the Alaska Territorial Guard, is made up of citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen representing nearly every community in Alaska. In recent years, Alaska's troops have served with distinction in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. The Alaska National Guard maintains a strong relationship with Mongolia through the National Guard Bureau's state partnership program.
Senator Murkowski serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Military Construction/Veterans, Defense, and Homeland Security Subcommittees, Senator Murkowski fights to ensure that the Armed Forces have the resources and facilities they need to perform their vital missions. A champion of military families, Senator Murkowski has worked to improve family support and quality of life on Alaska's military installations.
As Alaska's senior United States Senator, Senator Murkowski proudly serves as congressional host of Alaska's two major military appreciation events -- the Armed Services Y Salute to the Military in Anchorage and the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Military Appreciation Banquet. In recognition of her service to the military community, Senator Murkowski is a proud recipient of the Jim Messer Award, the signature award of the Military Appreciation Banquet.
Eielson Air Force Base
Ever since the Air Force announced plans to transfer the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in February 2012, Senator Murkowski has taken issue with the proposal -- challenging its tone, timing and omissions. She is pleased her colleagues on the Appropriations Committee agreed to her request to include language in the FY2014 Defense Appropriations bill prohibiting the transfer of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron next year.
Senator Murkowski also believes the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is front-loaded in favor of the case to transfer the aircraft, despite the negative impacts the transfer would have on the Fairbanks region. In addition to potentially harming our nation's security and military readiness, the move could have a significant adverse impact on property values in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, could cause high quality schools on Eielson to close, and could overcrowd Anchorage schools, housing, and air space. Given that the USAF hasn't fully heard all of Alaska's concerns, Senator Murkowski welcomed the news that the Air Force is extending the comment period until the end of August to permit more Alaskan voices to be heard regarding the proposal.
How the F-16 Aggressor Relocation Discussion Evolved
After a two-year fight against the ill-conceived proposal to relocate the F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (J-BER), "warm" the base and cut thousands of jobs, Senator Lisa Murkowski recently received official word that the Air Force has scrapped the proposal. She was informed of this verdict during a conference call with the Alaska delegation, Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and General "Hawk" Carlisle, Commander of Pacific Air Forces.
Since the Air Force initially announced plans to transfer the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in February 2012, Senator Murkowski has challenged the proposal on the merits and because of its tone, timing and omissions. When Secretary Fanning announced the verdict to scrap the proposal, Senator Murkowski welcomed the news because the Air Force was acknowledging the concept was flawed to begin with and communicated poorly along the way. Beyond the work, energy and resources she has devoted to keeping the F-16s at Eielson, Murkowski took the opportunity after the announcement to praise Alaska's military community in Fairbanks and Anchorage for speaking with one voice at public hearings and proving that Alaska's people and position make our state a valuable asset in the nation's defense and reminding the Pentagon once again that "America Needs Eielson."
Moving forward, Senator Murkowski is also encouraged by news that the basing criteria for a squadron of F-35s outside the continental United States (OCONUS) is imminent from the U.S. Air Force -- and that Eielson is being seriously considered to home the aircraft. As she did with the F-16s, Senator Murkowski will make the case that Eielson would be the optimal location for these fighters.
How the F-16 Aggressor Relocation Discussion Evolved
On February 3rd 2012, the United States Air Force announced plans to transfer the F-16 Aggressor squadron based at Eielson AFB near Fairbanks to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage. The Air Force claimed that relocating the fighter jets will save $35 million over five years.
Senator Murkowski had serious concerns about the Department of Defense's plans, the savings estimates, and how the move could impact the Air Force and Alaska. As soon as the USAF unveiled its proposal, she began a campaign to refute the claims that transferring the F-16 Aggressor squadron at Eielson to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside of Anchorage would be cost-effective or make sense for our national security. She believes many of the USAF's claims were remarkably similar to the BRAC Committee proposal in 2005 that was ultimately rejected. Senator Murkowski's efforts to protect Eielson Air Force base and the Fairbanks community include:
Introducing a bill, S. 2073, during the 112th Congress to prohibit the permanent relocation of F-16 aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base.
Meeting with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz to gain a better understanding of what the restructuring plans entail. General Schwartz said he believes America still needs Eielson Air Force Base and that it should play a significant role as America's military shifts its focus to the Pacific.
Sharing her concerns with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, pointing out that nothing has changed since similar savings were proposed in 2005 as part of the independent Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC).
Conducting a community meeting in Fairbanks on the proposed Eielson changes with hundreds in attendance.
Leading the Alaska delegation in a letter to Secretary of the United States Air Force Michael Donley and General Schwartz, calling for a rigorous review of the Eielson savings and asking the Air Force to consider additional factors like impacts to the Fairbanks real estate market, the additional air congestion in Anchorage, and the lack of housing in the Anchorage area.
Questioning whether the Air Force is able to achieve the cost savings they propose with this move and asking Secretary Donley and General Schwartz about the reasoning behind their proposal. General Schwartz confirmed that the Air Force had not done a site survey before making the proposal.
Asking U.S. Air Force officials for greater detail on their savings estimates, leading the USAF Undersecretary for Installations and Environment to acknowledge the Air Force needs to "take a broader look" at the proposal.
Taking part in a live town hall broadcast statewide to share her undertakings on behalf of Alaska's military community in Washington, D.C.
Meeting again with General Schwartz to stress remaining questions and noting the lack of information as well as continuously shifting numbers that raise concerns and make Alaskans question the legitimacy of facts and figures needed to consider a move of this significance.
Stressing additional questions in a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing with Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, including questions regarding the 168th Air Refueling Wing's ability to fulfill its mission.
Further reinforcing the strategic importance not only of Eielson AFB but the entire State of Alaska, Senator Murkowski wrote the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, urging them to consider Alaska as a base for a KC-46 aerial refueler unit. She expanded on this view in an op-ed column.
Questioning the preliminary results of the Air Force site activation task force study, pointing out that the Air Force should take a thorough look at the potential move's economic impact on both the communities involved. She wrote a letter to the Commander of the 673rd Air Base Wing at JBER to ask him if there was a plan for housing of the relocated airmen and their families.
Securing language in the FY13 continuing resolution that prohibited allocating appropriations or funds to make structure changes or movements within the Air Force -- including the F-16 Aggressor squadron at Eielson AFB.
Including a provision in the Senate's FY13 defense appropriations bill that mandates a "strategic pause" for all Air Force structure adjustments.
Introducing S. 152, the America Needs Eielson Act of 2013. The bill is designed to amplify the importance of Eielson AFB to U.S. national security within the Pentagon and Congress by restricting any troop or structure movements from occurring until at least four separate conditions are met: (1) The findings of the Commission on the Structure of the Air Force are released; (2) an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is completed on the proposed move of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron to Joint Base-Elmendorf Richardson; (3) a Pentagon study is conducted on the strategic importance of Eielson Air Force Base; and (4) a Record of Decision is released that explains how any proposed action is consistent with the findings of the EIS (#2) and the Pentagon study of Eielson's strategic future (#3).
Participating in the February Air Force scoping meetings across Alaska regarding the proposed transfer of the F-16 Aggressor squadron at Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base-Elmendorf Richardson.
Writing a letter to the United States Air Force to request the public hearings in regards to the DEIS released in May 2013 be rescheduled to give Alaskans reasonable time to review the DEIS and prepare for the hearings. Senator Murkowski's request was granted on June 10th, 2013.
Testifying before the Commission on the Structure of the Air Force to reaffirm her stance against the transfer of F-16s and touching on the potential harm that would be done to both Fairbanks and Anchorage. She questioned the downsizing of Eielson at a time when the Pentagon is exploring new missions and possibilities for the base. Bolstering that argument and undercutting the rationale for the F-16 transfer, the Air Force announced on July 29th that Eielson is being seriously considered for a F-35 squadron.
Securing language in the Defense Appropriations bill for FY14 that prohibits the use of funds to implement the transfer of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron.
On October 2, 2013, Senator Murkowski was informed the U.S. Air Force will keep the F-16 Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base.
Sexual Assault in the Military
Senator Murkowski is encouraged that the Secretary of Defense has admitted the Pentagon needs a cultural change when it comes to sexual misconduct among our men and women in uniform, but believes it is critical that Congress do all it can to promote the protection of those who protect our freedoms. The Senator is pleased that everyone is talking about the issue now and some positive steps are being made on the legislative level, but continues to look for a thorough response.
Sexual assault within the military is occurring at frightening levels, with a six percent increase reported in the last year. Too often, cases of sexual assault go unreported out of fear of retribution or that nothing will be done. According to the Department of Defense, an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault occurred in 2012, with only 3,374 cases being reported. That means thousands of military sexual assault victims are left to face the aftermath of their assault alone, while their attackers may never face justice.
Though the issue has drawn the attention of millions of Americans recently, Senator Lisa Murkowski has been raising this issue for years. In a 2009 Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Murkowski asked military medical officials if they believed they were "doing enough" in terms of building awareness of this issue among the ranks.
Senator Murkowski believes the present rates of sexual assault among the military men and women are a shame to the nation's defense -- made worse by the fact that the reports of sexual assault are likely a fraction of the actual number of offenses. A factor to this troubling rate of underreporting is the fact that victims are frequently concerned about internal retaliation - such as promotions not received or additional duties added. To address this problem, the Senator has co-sponsored five separate bills to crack down on this crisis.
Senator Murkowski has co-sponsored the:
Combating Sexual Assault Act of 2013 to provide victims of sexual assault with Special Victims' Counsel -- a military lawyer who will assist sexual assault victims throughout the process. The Army already provides this Counsel, and the SVC would be an effective and essential ally for all victims. The Senator was pleased that provisions from this legislation were considered in the National Defense Authorizatoin Act (NDAA) considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Military Sexual Assault Prevention Act of 2013 to prevent sexual offenders from serving in the military, improve tracking and review of sexual assault claims in the military, and help ensure victims can get the justice they deserve.
Coast Guard STRONG Act of 2013. The Coast Guard is in the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, not the Pentagon -- so there are different protocols. This bill will extend protections given to members of the armed services to our guardians.
Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. In the case of offenses which have a sentence of confinement for more than one year, the military judge advocate (in pay grade of O-6 or higher) has the authority to decide whether the case goes to trial or not. The bill carves out a category of exceptions for offenses that are unique to the military and allows commanders to decide whether the case should proceed to trial or not.
S. 1092. This bill would increase protections from retaliatory actions for victims who report violations. This legislation would require an investigation by the IG when there are allegations of retaliatory personnel actions taken in response to reporting a sexual assault and expands the IG investigations to reports of rape, sexual assault, or other sexual misconduct.
Senator Murkowski is also pleased that the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY14 includes language provide victims of sexual assault in all military branches access to Special Victims' Counsel (SVC), based on the Combating Sexual Assault Act.
Fort Greely Investigation
Additionally, Senator Murkowski is closely following an investigation into recent allegations that sexual affairs were condoned at Fort Greely, the nation's main missile-defense base in Alaska. Murkowski believes the allegations coming out of the investigation at Fort Greely are deeply upsetting and further evidence that we must see a drastic change made to a military culture that has seemingly turned its eyes away from facing critical, systemic problems and addressing them. The Senator will demand to see the results of the Greely investigation lead to a true zero-tolerance policy for all sexual misconduct in the military.
Source