Javier E. Lopez-Covas

The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs aims to provide effective professionals for global, theater, and state operations. It focuses on domestic disaster response, veteran support, and teen education in structured environments. The vision is to have a ready and integrated team of professionals meeting the needs of the state and nation, emphasizing state operations, federal lethality, people, innovation, and leverage.

The meeting reviewed the ACAST report from November 2018 and discussed the ongoing need for infrastructure investment in Alaska to support security and defense measures, including ports, rails, roads, and airfield improvements. The need for economic analysis supporting security and defense missions was also highlighted. Discussions included the impact of COVID-19 on remote regions, particularly concerning the long-term economic effects and the adequacy of healthcare in rural areas. The meeting addressed Alaska's preparedness for various crises, including earthquakes, fires, pandemics, and volcanic eruptions, and reviewed the roles of the Alaska National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and active duty forces in disaster response. The discussion also covered the pending arrival of F-35s at Eielson AFB, the need for increased air refueling capabilities, infrastructure investments to support force protection, and the need for more rotary aircraft platforms for search and rescue and humanitarian assistance. Other topics included the importance of ice breaking by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Arctic region, the need for an Arctic Strategic Deepwater Port, and improvements to the Marine Highway system. Finally, the meeting addressed the need for ACAST advocacy to the Alaska Congressional Delegation to support these concerns and shortfalls.

The meeting agenda includes gaining insights from the State of Alaska DMVA Commissioner and Adjutant General; reviewing the summary of ACAST 2020 Meeting #4 and the status of requested ACAST memos; reviewing and/or approving the CY 2020 Annual Draft Report to Governor Dunleavy; a presentation from Mr. Nolan Klouda on the Alaska Defense Industry Project; and a roundtable discussion on items for ACAST to consider as important new points of advocacy or support.

The meeting addressed key priorities, including the introduction of a new administrator and a discussion on council priorities, focusing on workload, staffing, and certifications. The council reviewed the IFSAC audit results and discussed plans for the spring 2024 meeting in Juneau to advocate for additional staff positions. Significant discussion surrounded the Certifying Officers program, proposing a Triennial Agreement Packet (TAP) to track officer involvement and ensure ongoing commitment. The meeting also included a discussion on reducing the size of test banks, with options to maintain two separate banks, cross-reference curricula, or select a single curriculum. Public comment included feedback on the CO training program, test banks, and the Instructor Renewal requirement. Action items included approving the TAP, creating a tutorial for setting up meetings with legislators, reviewing previous minutes regarding Instructor Renewal, and sending an email survey to fire departments regarding test bank options.

The meeting included a welcome for a new ACAST appointee and acknowledgements of reappointments. An update from the DMVA and Alaska National Guard covered the support of the November 2020 elections, COVID-19 contact tracing, the setback of Anchorage not being a finalist for the HQ U.S. Space Command relocation, and ongoing advocacy for KC-46 basing at Eielson AFB and Clear Air Force Station construction. The status of ACAST memos provided to the AK DMVA Commissioner was reviewed. An overview of Alaska's Veterans Affairs program was presented, highlighting statistics, characteristics of Alaska's veterans, and challenges such as the lack of digital records for DD Form 214. The ACAST draft annual report was reviewed, and discussion included focusing on the Port of Alaska, Arctic infrastructure, and the Bering Sea EEZ. The meeting also noted Senator Sullivan's hearing on U.S. Coast Guard efforts in Alaska and the Arctic.