DOCA Hill-Ogden Conference Notes Notes from March 1-3, 2020 by DOCA Member Lynn M. Boughey (’94) (All presentations and tours UNCLASSIFIED) If one word is best attributed to Hill Air Force Base and its many interrelated missions, it would be the word “legacy.” Everywhere you turn, there are reflections of what once was, what has become, and what the future will hold. From their world-class museum to state-of-the-art engineering and computer modeling, to the newest fighter jet available – the entire base lets the young airmen, civilians, and contractors walk in the footsteps of those who came before them, leading us quietly but most assuredly into a different future that will merge all that was, is, and will be. Attendees and Focus of Conference Forty-seven DOCA members attended the conference from Sunday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The focus of this conference was the importance of our nation’s nuclear deterrence mission and air superiority. 1 Conference: DOCA Hill-Ogden Conference Notes March 1 - 3 2020 Resting adjacent and along a Western ridge of the Rocky Mountains, Hill Air Force Base looks to the west to views of the Great Salt Lake, and is cradled by mountains both east and west. Hill Air Force Base is an Air Force Material Command (AFMC) base located in northern Utah. It is the Air Force’s second largest space by population and geographic size, and is the home to many operational and support missions along with being the hub of activity for the depot maintenance of numerous aircraft and weapon systems. Hill Air Force Base continues to play a major role in the United States Air Force, starting with fighting efforts from World War II to supporting present day efforts around the world. Military and civilian personnel at Hill Air Force Base are helping to ensure the nuclear triad remains the effective strategic deterrent, now and into the future. Home of the Air Force’s only combat-capable F-35A units, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings are prepared to launch its 78 aircrafts to support the national defense mission at a moment’s notice. Last year, Hill AFB began regularly supporting F-35A combat operations with consecutive deployments. Currently, the wings fly 30 to 60 sorties per day from Hill’s flight line. Community Support by the Surrounding Areas Throughout the conference, we were reminded time and again about the remarkable community support that the Men and Women from Hill Air Force Base receive. And these reminders were not just words. Everywhere we went, there were references to items that were provided to the base from the community. As an example, pool tables and movie theater seats were provided for the airmen’s recreation center. More importantly, we came to understand that the community – undoubtedly recognizing the $3.7 billion of local economic impact – initiates state and local government processes to allow community interaction. Some interactions come by means of moving businesses and contracting offices onto the base with special leases and others allow substantial economic development on and around Hill Air Force Base. DAY 1 - MARCH 2, 2020 Speaker 1 - Colonel Jon A. Eberlan, Commander, 75th Air Base Wing Hailing from Missouri, Col. Jon A. Eberlan began his presentation by describing not only the $3.7 billion impact on the local economy, but particularly pointed out the manner in which the surrounding towns, and the two counties that are bisected by the base, have learned to work together. At times, there have been over 25 mayors and county commissioners at the table making joint decisions and coordinating the various issues related to the base. 2 Conference: DOCA Hill-Ogden Conference Notes March 1 - 3 2020 Col. Eberlan described the six centers of the Air Force Material Command. He emphasized the importance of the Air Force Sustainment Center; the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings (who maintain combat readiness to deploy, employ, and sustain the F-35s worldwide); and the three depots. The Air Force Sustainment Center’s mission is to provide sustainment and logistics readiness to deliver combat power for America. He said that the five priorities are: (1) deliver combat power; (2) accountable, global logistics integration; (3) shape future logistics capabilities; (4) drive a cost-conscious culture; and (5) develop and support airmen for tomorrow’s Air Force. He perceives his mission is making sure that America “gets the biggest bang for the buck with the resources assigned to us.” Col. Eberlan relayed many other interesting points during his presentation: • 95% of the systems employed to fly modern planes are electronic. “Ones and zeros.” • Hill Air Force Base just finished a $40 million runway improvement project, which resulted in their only other runway being closed to anything but the numerous deployments of the F35As while the improvement project was being completed. • The base has over 7000 acres inside the fence, and over 1 million acres for the test facility. • The base hosts 2700 contractors, 24,000 employees, and is expected to grow an additional 4,500- 5,000 people in the next 5 to 6 years. All this growth is expected in an economy that has 2% unemployment. • The Ogden Air Logistics Center employs over 9000 military and civilian employees, and operates other locations throughout the country, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s “Boneyard” in Arizona. • When asked if he has everything he needs, Col. Eberlan stated: “I have all the flexibility and support as a commander as I’ve ever had.” • When asked if he had one word or one phrase that would describe his mission and the people who perform that mission, his answer was: “Swiss Army knife.” Speaker 2 – Brigadier General “Cauley” von Hoffman, Commander, Ogden Air Logistics Complex There are those in the early 1800s who described a certain French general (who later became Emperor of France) as a “velvet glove”: outwardly smooth and personable, but inwardly determined, forceful, and unyielding, capable of using a gesture to initiate the movement of armies of soldiers. Soldiers were ready and willing to go wherever he may lead, and trusted his every decision as well grounded and worthy of 3 Conference: DOCA Hill-Ogden Conference Notes March 1 - 3 2020 full consideration. He was at times, brilliant. Gen. von Hoffman is one of these military leaders. She is friendly, poised, articulate, and engaging; and yet you cannot help but sense that this particular general has a level of determination and competence rarely matched. She carries the fortitude and strength of one who is in all aspects a “velvet glove.” Relaying to our members her favorite mantra of the art of the possible, Gen. von Hoffman described the immense scope of her command: 295 buildings, 11 operating locations, a budget of $2 billion annually, and a $766 million annual payroll. She has under her command 1% military, 6% contractors, and 93% civilians. Her depots at several separate locations rebuild aircraft and reclaim parts for aircrafts being refurbished. In addition, 25% of those under her command fulfilled the task of engineering in-house software, a mission that is growing exponentially. Not surprisingly, the focal point of a great majority of her work is the tension between modernization and keeping the legacy systems viable and operational until new systems can come on board. Gen. von Hoffman explained to the DOCA members that one of her top challenges is recruiting engineers and software specialists. Given the economy in Utah, she has found it necessary to recruit from other locations and set up facilities for those recruits in different locations in order to maintain quality of life and affordability of housing. Gen. von Hoffman also informed us that there is an escalating cost for maintaining older systems, and that long-term sustainability is becoming increasingly expensive. Gen. von Hoffman also described a unique leasing program which has allowed Hill Air Force Base to expand inside the fence by leasing land to contractors and other businesses. Those that lease actually build the new buildings on base land for private use. According to Gen. von Hoffman, the leasing program has been very successful and is only going to get bigger. Gen. von Hoffman also described the complexity of sustaining Minuteman III missile systems that employ 1960’s technology. She also informed us that once the modernization of the new missile is completed, it will take seven years to swap out each of the old missiles with a new missile. Speaker 3 – Mr. Brett Christensen, Acting Director, Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) Program One of the least anticipated briefings was a briefing about leasing the base property, boring contracts, lease provisions, the need for economic development, etc. Ugh! Boy we were mistaken! Due to changes in federal law made in 2002, allowing the military to lease out underutilized property for fair market value (10 USC 2667), we were briefed by Mr. Brett Christensen on the absolutely fascinating manner in which Hill Air Force Base utilizes this particular congressional authorization, the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) 4 Conference: DOCA Hill-Ogden Conference Notes March 1 - 3 2020 Program. Anyone who has lived in or around Ogden experiences the daily traffic and the huge population increase in the surrounding area. Hill Air Force Base has 3.5 miles of land running parallel to the I-15. Overall, the base has thousands upon thousands of underutilized acres owned by the government. Mr. Christensen informed us that the contractors/business entities may lease out this very valuable land by a one-time cash payment or payment in kind (where the base receives something other than cash).