WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives and Alaskan Congressman Don Young today passed bicameral legislation to authorize $521.3 billion in national defense spending and $63.7 billion for overseas operations, in addition to providing key reforms to protect Alaskan military operations and service members, prevent military sexual assault and suicide, reaffirm the F-35 basing at Eielson Air Force Base, and convey federal lands to local entities.

“This important piece of legislation funds our fighting men and women and gives them the resources they need to train, fight, and keep America safe,” said Congressman Young. “While the bill isn’t perfect, it does include many important items for Alaska and the rest of the nation.  I’m proud to see the inclusion of my language to begin the process of getting Eielson’s tankers the manpower they need to execute all of their missions, and pleased to confirm what Alaskans already know, that Eielson is the best place for the Air Force’s F-35s. I must also commend Senator Murkowski for her leadership, as Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,  in ensuring many of these provisions, particularly the public lands measures, were included in the final bill.”

Included within S. 1847, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA), are key Alaska provisions supported and included by Congressman Young that highlight Alaska’s unique landscape and strategic location. Additionally, the legislation mitigates drastic cuts to TRICARE, housing allowances, and commissary benefits. S. 1847 passed with overwhelming support today by a vote of 300 to 119, and will now be taken up by the Senate.

Congressman Young successfully included the following provisions in the 2015 NDAA:

Eielson and F-35s:  Language included in the NDAA’s explanatory report clearly states that Eielson Air Force Base is the preferred location for two squadrons of F-35s.

Arctic Capabilities Study:  A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to analyze and identify existing capability gaps that hinder the DOD’s ability to carry out the Administration’s new Arctic Strategy, released late last year. The study will examine the need for increased ice breaking capacity, a suitable replacement plan for the aging Small Unit Support Vehicle (SUSV), and the need for Arctic based programs and training similar to the U.S. Army Alaska’s (USARAK) Northern Warfare Training Center.

Business Case Analysis for the 168^th ARW:  A Business Case Analysis (BCA) by the Air Force for forming an Active Association with the Alaska National Guard’s 168^th Air Refueling Wing (AWR) at Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska. At this time, the 168th ARW does not possess the manpower to fulfill all air refueling requirements of the Northern Pacific and Arctic region, which results in nearly forty percent of refueling missions requiring costly augmentation from temporarily assigned Air Mobility Command (AMC) tanker assets.  This is the Alaska National Guard’s top legislative priority for FY2015.

The legislation also includes three Alaska public land provisions previously passed in the House under the leadership of Congressman Young.  The bill includes:

• The conveyance of 1,518 acres of federal land at the former Distant Early Warning Site near Wainwright, Alaska to the Olgoonik Corporation. The House bill, H.R. 5167, passed by voice vote on November 13, 2014.

• The Sealaska land entitlement finalization, which conveys 70,075 of acres of land to Sealaska. On September 10, 2013, the House Natural Resources Committee reported a version of this bill, which also passed in the House during the 112^th Congress.

• The removal of federal reversionary interest to three parcels of land conveyed to the Municipality of Anchorage. Under the existing title, a reversionary clause requires the land ownership revert back to the federal government should the land no longer be used for “municipal purposes.” This bill passed the House on February 6, 2014.

Provisions included in the 2015 NDAA of Alaskan benefit and interest: 

• Ground-Based Missile Defense:  Authorizes a $40 million increase to the Ballistic Missile Defense System at Ft. Greely for upgrades to the current system of ground-based missile interceptors.  This bill also blocks funding to explore an East Coast missile site and instead directs funding to improving Alaska’s capacity.

• Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors:  Authorizes $392.9 million for Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors, one of which is located at Clear Air Force Station.

• Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR):  This bill authorizes funding to begin building the LRDR, a vital missile defense radar which will be constructed in Alaska within ten years.

• Clear Air Force Station Military Construction: Authorizes $11.5 million for an Emergency Power Plant fuel storage.

• F-35:  $6.7 billion for the procurement for 34 aircraft and continued research and development.  Currently, Alaska is home to Eielson AFB the preferred location for the Air Force’s OCONUS F-35 basing of two squadrons for F-35As.

• Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): Includes a provision explicitly stating nothing with the NDAA should be construed as authorizing an additional round of BRAC.

• National Guard Force Structure Adjustments: Includes a provision to have the Government Accountability Organization (GAO) study the appropriate balance between the Active force and the Guard. The re-distribution of important Guard aviation assets are also blocked in FY2015.

• Nome Land Transfer: Transfers seven acres of federal land – the West Nome Fuel Tank Farm – from the Air Force to the City of Nome for future economic purposes.

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