Air Guard Facilities Maintenance
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Component — Air Guard Facilities Maintenance State of Alaska FY2019 Governor’s Operating Budget Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Air Guard Facilities Maintenance Component Budget Summary FY2019 Governor Released December 15, 2017 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Page 1 Component — Air Guard Facilities Maintenance Component: Air Guard Facilities Maintenance Contribution to Department's Mission Provide mission-ready forces and combat capability to the nation while protecting the citizens of Alaska through support to local communities and civil authorities during emergencies and natural disasters. The Alaska Air National Guard organizes, trains, and equips Airmen proficient in strategic and tactical airlift, air defense, air refueling, combat search and rescue, missile warning, space surveillance, and combat support, while remaining adaptable to meet future missions for the state and our nation. Major Component Accomplishments in 2017 The Alaska Air National Guard (AKANG) continued to execute an extremely high operational tempo and deployment pace. In any given month, 30 to 40 Alaska Air National Guard members are deployed around the world in support of multiple contingencies and operations. Anticipated Arctic Requirements - The 176th Wing is poised to conduct long-range search and rescue operations in the Arctic and Pacific Ocean. Arctic operations are inherently difficult with long distances and correspondingly lengthy transit times from established bases, increasing response times. The opening of the Arctic is driving an increase in military and civilian traffic in the region and with it, increased risk for a mass rescue event. By combining its C-17 long-range airlift and airdrop capabilities with search and rescue mission assets, the wing has the capability to conduct long-range search and rescue operations. In anticipation of a crisis and a defined mission requirement, the Arctic Sustainment Package (ASP) was developed and exercised, providing prebuilt and alert ready air droppable packages designed and configured specifically to respond to a mass rescue event in our harsh environment. The ASP is designed to support up to 26 survivors for up to 72 hours and the equipment is interoperable with the Canadian Major Air Disaster (MAJAID) system. Operations Around the World – The 168th Wing deployed 117 Airman to support the Pacific Command’s Theater Security Package in Guam. Additionally, the 168th Wing deployed to European Command in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization refueling operations. From the 176th Wing, the 249th Airlift Squadron provided airlift around the world for PACOM and TRANSCOM. The 176th Operations Squadron assisted in Antarctica’s Operation DEEP FREEZE and traveled to Germany in support of Exercise AUSTERE CHALLENGE. Operations in Alaska - The 168th Wing sent 25 Airmen to JBER for Joint Operations Center indoctrination and training to better assist during Defense Support for Civil Authorities operations. The 176th Wing supported numerous exercises, including Arctic Ace 2017 and Red Flag Alaska exercises 16-2, 16-3 and 17-1. Additionally, the 176th Wing supported Operation Santa Claus, a 60-year community outreach tradition ensuring the delivery of gifts to the communities of Togiak, Akiak, Akiachak, Tuluksak and Grayling. The 212th Rescue Squadron drove staffing initiatives to establish the Guardian Angel mission requirement for developing and sustaining the Arctic Sustainment Package, and two of the squadron’s pararescuemen summited Denali for training with National Parks Service Rangers. 168th Wing (Eielson Air Force Base) - Maintains highest operations tempo among Air National Guard KC-135 aerial refueling military aircraft units. 45% of the wing’s missions were operational missions - Flew 2,475 mishap-free hours, delivering and flawlessly accounting for more than 11.5 million pounds of fuel to over 1,209 receivers during 571 generated sorties - Continued presence in the Central Command Area of Responsibility (Middle East and Southwest Asia); deployed, flew, and refueled as a cohesive unit to meet heavy tanker demand - Participated in Operations NOBLE EAGLE, NEPTUNE FALCON, and INHERENT RESOLVE; provided Home Land Defense support, supported Air Mobility Command, participated in Exercises Red Flag-Alaska and Northern Edge; provided support toward Olympic Titan, North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations, and the President of The United States - Deployed 351 personnel and 25 tons of cargo utilizing two aircraft during the year for 13 separate FY2019 Governor Released December 15, 2017 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Page 2 Component — Air Guard Facilities Maintenance deployments in support of world-wide operations and exercises - Executed $2.2 million hangar roof repair replacement project and completed design for a $3.2 million operations facility renovation project slated for FY18 - Veterans Stand Down – More than 400 medical and dental procedures performed for local veterans in need, saving more than $40,000 - Tracked over 279,000 space objects and recorded over 4.7 million measurable observations - Participated in Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training, provided medical and dental care for more than 4500 patients, resulting in over $1.6 million worth of services to the underserved - Stand-up of additional maintenance and operations personnel and one additional KC-135 to provide continuous Title-10 support to HQ Pacific Air Forces - Multiple alert launches supporting NORAD ANR and Russian bomber intercepts 176th Wing (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) - The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) completed its 5,507th search and rescue mission and is credited with 2,310 lives saved since 1 July 1994 - The 176th Wing’s operational flying squadrons, flew 2,563 flying hours, 752 sorties, 77 combat sorties and 7 Hurricane support sorties. In total, 12,442 passengers and 22.2 million pounds of cargo were transported around the globe - The 176th Wing’s rescue triad executed 28 Civil Search and Rescue missions, flying 43 sorties, 66 flying hours and was credited with 17 civilian lives saved - The 176th Air Defense Squadron (ADS) earned the highest rating of "Mission Ready" during the NORAD Region Alert Force Evaluation cycle. The ADS supported Active and Reserve F-22 training with exemplary air control throughout the year, and supported NORAD training objectives during numerous AMALGAM exercises, Exercises VIGILANT SHIELD, RED FLAG Alaska as well as contingency operations in the USCENTCOM AOR. Finally, the 176th ADS supported NORAD, USNORTHCOM, Pacific Air Forces and Air Combat Command with critical subject matter expertise to improve the Air Defense enterprise, impacting operations from the National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense system, the Hawaiian Area of Responsibility, and the Korean Peninsula - The 249th Airlift Squadron and 212th Rescue Squadron were the only nominees from the Department of Defense for the prestigious Collier Trophy. Both units were instrumental in the innovation of adapting Search and Rescue techniques to the C-17 mission and recognized for their work with NASA’s manned space flight capsule recovery flight - Seventeen members from the 176th Medical Group participated in two Innovative Readiness Training exercises, Tropic Care and Pacific Angel, receiving 158 hours of critical training, while providing $1.7 million in medical care to disadvantaged civilians Key Component Challenges The Alaska Air National Guard continues to meet the challenge of recruiting and retention with new recruiting campaigns. These initiatives included filling recruiting teams in Fairbanks and Anchorage; continuously reviewing recruiting procedures and processes; utilizing a mobile recruiting trailer for use in event support throughout the State; and aggressively advocating for four additional federal manpower authorizations, dedicated solely to recruiting. Increased Operations Tempo: With the addition of a second Long Term Military Personnel Appropriations (MPA) line, the 168th Wing continues to evolve to a more operational force. Not only providing 24/7 readiness for the NORAD Alert line, the 168th Wing also performs refueling wherever and whenever requested by PACAF. The change is certainly positive; however, with any evolution, care must be taken to watch for personnel stress with increased operations tempo. Upcoming Installation Changes: Eielson Air Force Base is poised to receive the newest 5th Generation Fighter, the F-35. Air National Guard (ANG) and Active Duty are working hand-in-hand to ensure a smooth transition. The relationship between the ANG and Active Duty is strong and has only strengthened in recent months in preparation for the 54 incoming F-35s. Recruiting Progress: Overall wing end strength is hovering just below 80%. While not yet at the stated goal of 85% for FY17, this marks a dramatic increase over the past 18 months. The 168th Wing recruiting team is focused and FY2019 Governor Released December 15, 2017 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Page 3 Component — Air Guard Facilities Maintenance positive about the upcoming year. Significant Changes in Results to be Delivered in FY2019 176th Wing Mission Changes: In FY17, the Department of Defense transferred ownership of eight C-17 transport aircraft from the Active Component to the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing. Throughout FY18, the Total Force relationship will continue to progress as both parties fully transition from a classic association to the active association