The complete document, which contains the legislative resolutions passed at the 126th General Conferencce, has been provided to members of Congress, senior Defense Department officials and state Guard associations. It is available on the NGAUS Web site at www.ngaus.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As members of the National Guard Association of the United States gathered at our 126th General Conference in Las Vegas, our theme was: "National Guard: Now More than Ever." That theme reflects the state of the National Guard today and was the driving force behind the resolutions passed by our membership.

The Army National Guard represents 38 percent of the Total Army while the Air National Guard makes up 34 percent of the Total Air Force. Simply stated, the country cannot fight and win a conflict without significant participation by the National Guard. That is why today our members are shoulder to shoulder with the active components defending the nation both overseas and at home.

More than 197,000* soldiers of the Army National Guard and 31,000* members of the Air National Guard have been mobilized since Sept. 11, 2001. This is the largest mobilization of the National Guard since World War II. Many of our soldiers and airmen can expect to be away from their jobs and families for up to 24 months. At this time, more than 51,000 Army Guardsmen are on the ground in Iraq and 15,000 are serving in Afghanistan. Sadly, more than 100* National Guard members have made the ultimate sacrifice.

NGAUS commends the men and women involved in these conflicts. But we believe they deserve more than our thanks. They deserve the best resources and training available to carry out their state and federal missions.

With a presence in more than 3,000 communities across the nation, the National Guard stands ready with unique capabilities to defend the U.S. homeland. Specially trained and equipped civil ssupport teams in each state stand ready to respond to any emergency, identify chemical or biological agents and advise first responders. These teams were mandated by Congress, certified by the Defense Department and remain under control of the state.

Its dual federal and state missions also enable the National Guard to develop invaluable lines of communication and relationships across jurisdictions. It is fully integrated with local police and fire stations. In addition, through the Defense Department's Northern Command, the Guard continues to take a leading role in the military defense of the homeland. The National Guard connects every police station and firehouse to the Pentagon and every State House to the White House.

With these missions in mind, the delegates from the 54 states and territories formulated the resolutions lor the NGAUS 126th General Conference. These resolutions have a common thread-they urge the Congress to provide the adequate manning, modern equipment and sufficient resources necessary for the National Guard to successfully meet its requirements.

Additionally, NGAUS is seeking congressional support for personnel benefits. In Fiscal Year 2004 the Army National Guard failed to meet its recruiting goal. We believe a myriad of factors contributing to this, including the lack of prior-service members joining the Guard ranks. NGAUS also believes the solution should include adequate incentives and bonuses. Soldiers and airmen serving side by side with active component troops should be eligible for the same incentives and bonuses. NGAUS further endorses health coverage for all members, regardless of mobilization status, and a reduction in the age at which Guardsmen can receive their hard-earned pension. All of these measures are valuable tools, which can be employed to reach recruiting goals.

The United States is founded on the principle of citizensoldiers safeguarding our national security. This construct is as essential and relevant today as it was when citizensoldiers mustered at the Massachusetts Bay Colony more than 368 years ago. Now, more than ever, the country depends on the National Guard to defend the nation both overseas and at home. Now, more than ever we urge Congress to make sure the National Guard has the resources it needs to serve the nation.

THE FASHION IN WHICH THE NATIONAL GUARD IS BEING UTILIZED HAS FORCED AMERICA TO TAKE NOTICE AND RECOGNIZE THE FULL WORTH OF THESE EXCEPTIONAL MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN HARM'S WAY. GUARDSMEN ARE OUR NEIGHBORS, TEACHERS, COWORKERS AND STUDENTS. THE USE OF THE GUARD HAS FULLY ENGAGED THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM AND BROUGHT PATRIOTISM TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

While serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters, Guardsmen are operating side by side with their activeduty counterparts. Operational tempo has placed considerable strain on those personnel. Meanwhile, Guardsmen serving in traditional roles back home are tasked with responsibilities to their units and fellow Guardsmen beyond what they envisioned when joining the Guard.

Certainly, a re-evaluation of our country's commitment to these citizen-soldiers and airmen is in order. Today, every member of the National Guard plays a crucial role in defense of our homeland, both here and abroad. These men and women deserve more substantial personnel and readiness benefits-benefits ensuring the National Guard will continue to attract the best and brightest, from the active component as well as the civilian population.

PERSONNEL, BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Participation in Tricare for all members of the National Guard, regardless of mobilization status

* Access and funding for all members of the National Guard into the Tricare Dental Plan

* Providing Title 32 retirees the same access to Veterans' Affairs medical facilities as Title 10 retirees

* Common pay and benefits for all types of duty performed by members of the National Guard to reflect the new and changing duties, risks and obligations

* Funding for Civil Support Teams Special Duty Assignment Pay at a level of locality pay consistent with civilian compensation levels

* Monthly flight pay for National Guard aviators equal to their active-duty counterparts

* A bonus for newly appointed warrant and commissioned National Guard officers

* Full-rate incentive and hazardous duty pay for qualified members of the National Guard

* Allowing Title 32 active-duty time to be counted the same as Title 10 active-duty time in the determination of federal service computation dates

* Legislation and funding to allow drilling Guard officers, with at least four years of enlisted service, either active duty or active reserve, to qualify for the pay grades of Ol-E, O2-E, or O3-E

* Reimbursement for body armor privately purchased

* Reimbursement for rest and relaxation leave expenses for travel from Baltimore Washington International airport to home of record and return

* Tax credits for employers of National Guard members and self-employed and professional members

* Fair credit reporting legislation to protect mobilized members of the National Guard and Reserve from negative credit reports resulting from the financial impacts of such service

* Instructions and funding for Inactive Duty Training lodging for the Army National Guard

FORCE MANAGEMENT

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* An increase in resourcing to attain 71 percent of fulltime manning requirements for the Army National Guard in five years

* Modifying current statutes to allow soldiers to be placed on Active Duty Special Work (ADSW) without pay. Currently, Title 32 statues prohibit states from putting soldiers on ADSW without pay. If changed, soldiers would receive retirement points and have a safety net if injured or killed in the line of duty

* The use of federally funded Active Guard and Reserves in support of state active duty missions and legislation to equate Title 10 and Title 32 in all other aspects

* Modifying the language in the Joint Federal Travel Regulations to allow members of the National Guard to continue in a temporary duty status, with according per diem, basic allowance for subsistence and basic allowance for housing entitlements, for the duration of any technical or professional military education course

* An increase in military leave for National Guard technicians supporting overseas operations

* Amending the section of 8401 (30) as it pertains to section 1039 of Public Law 104-106 by rescinding the language prohibiting military technicians from using the 44-Day Military Leave Program during national emergencies. Specifically remove the words "or national emergency" from section 1039 of Public Law 104-106

* Improved definition and allocation of wartime missions supported with appropriate resourcing to achieve national military and political objectives in support of the global war on terrorism

* Making permanent the Selected Reserve incentive programs

* The elimination of controlled grades for Army and Air National Guard personnel

* Continuation of the promotion process of senior officials on all non-criminal allegations through the preliminary analysis/inquiry process. Once either the Army Inspector General, the Air Force Inspector General or the Defense Department Inspector General recommends a formal investigation, the promotion process will be suspended pending final resolution of the investigation

* A full review of the Service Member Civil Relief Act and any other applicable law, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, to provide relief for involuntarily mobilized members

* A call for the deputy commander position at Northern Command to be filled by a National Guard general officer

* Changes to the work hours for Air National Guard technician pilots working Air Sovereignty Alert duty

* Non-chargeable mid-tour rest-and-recuperation leave due to the lack of opportunity to take leave while in theater and the need for leave when returning to home station

* Encouraging active duty officer tours within the National Guard before attaining the rank of general officer

* Modifying the law to allow Guardsmen, at the discretion of the commanders, to make up missed unit training assemblies any time during the fiscal year

* An Army policy change that allows a noncommissioned officer in pay grade E-7 or higher who has completed NCO courses through the NCO Advanced Course and who has been certified as eligible by the military occupational specialty proponent, to receive a direct appointment to either WO1 or CW2 based on the recommendation of the selection board

* Changing Army officer personnel regulations so that they do not discriminate between Active Guard and Reserve officers and M-day officers

* Direct appointment for the 180A series warrant officer. Allowing direct appointment for this series alone would increase mobilization readiness across 14 states and territories as well as the Army and Army Reserve. Special Forces warrant officers can also be used for homeland security due to their urban warfare training. Direct appointment at the ?6 level and above at the MOS 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E and 18F is needed. 180A series warrant officer positions would be filled and still allow for upward mobility in the enlisted ranks

* Upgrading readiness goals of all units in the Army National Guard to a minimum of C-I with 100 percent of the required resourcing

* Legislation prohibiting offsets by the services to their components so that the reserve components may achieve higher states of readiness in preparation for war

HOMELAND SECURITY

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Allowing the National Guard to perform operational missions in the interest of national security in a Title 32 status with appropriate reimbursement from the federal government. Additionally, pay and entitlements for service members serving in a Title 32 status, in support of operational missions in the interest of national security, must be equal to those serving in a Title 10 status

* Permanent funding for the following programs of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences-Casualty Care Research Center, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance

* Funding to procure conformal foam, waterproof retrofit kits for current Kevlar helmets

* Procuring the proper body armor to afford the members of the National Guard the best protection available prior to their entering any hostile environment

* Funding a full fielding of Extended Cold Weather Clothing Systems outerwear, footwear, sleep systems and gloves for the National Guard

* Eliminating the 25 percent local match for readiness center construction

EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Full funding for the Advanced Information Technology Services effort in the Future Years' Defense Program, to include FY06 authorizations and appropriations

* Funding for the Joint CONUS Communication Support Enterprise

* Immediate funding and fielding for the Common Ground Station and Joint Services Work Station and related communications capabilities with the Reserve components

* Honoring all existing enlistment contracts as presently written and back payment of accrued interest on student loans to those soldiers and airmen who have already been denied their full lawful payments as stated in their existing contracts

* Legislation to enable soldiers eligible for Chapter 1606 GI benefits to utilize the same with the Army Guard Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship program

RETIREES AND VETERANS

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Affording the same benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs to members of the National Guard called to serve in combat or hostile environments as their active duty counterparts

* Legislation to amend Title 10 to reduce the age for receipt of retired reserve military pay from 60 to age 55

* Changing the Civil Service Retirement System to allow military technicians to retire after attaining 20 years of service and reaching age 50; or 27 years of federal technician service at any age without suffering the penalty of a 2 percent reduction per year for each year under age 55

* Permitting concurrent receipt of longevity military retirement pay and disability compensation without an offset between both

* Legislation to authorize U.S. military veterans to retain multiple use of the Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed mortgages currently enjoyed by millions of veterans

* Providing the same retirement point recognition for on-line courses as are currently awarded for correspondence courses, provided they meet the same appropriate career or Military Occupational Specialty enhancement stipulations that currently apply to correspondence courses

* Passage of the provisions for the elimination of the "Widow Tax"

* Allowing National Guard retired members eligible for federal retired annuity payments residency in state veterans homes, with the requirement that they pay no more than 50 percent more than the allowed veterans rates

* The secretary of defense and the secretary of veterans affairs working together to achieve a seamless transition between their two departments

IN 2004, THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD EXPERIENCED ITS LARGEST, LONGEST AND MOST VARIED DEPLOYMENTS SINCE WORLD WAR II. MORE THAN 140,000 ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS HAVE SERVED AROUND THE WORLD WHILE PROVIDING NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF THE TROOPS IN IRAQ.

The level of Army Guard participation in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and ongoing actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as domestic and state-related missions, generates a sense of pride. It also reaffirms the dual federal and domestic roles the trained, ready and accessible National Guard provides the nation with the highest return on its defense personnel, readiness and equipment modernization investment.

The overwhelming demand on the Army National Guard as a result of this dual mission. With today's unpredictable environment and the decreasing force of our active Army, the dedicated men and women of the Army Guard are facing more real life missions than ever before. But they are being asked to do so with fewer resources and irrelevant equipment. Although the Army Guard meets these missions, it is growing increasingly diliicult for its soldiers to continue with insufficient resources and funding.

AVIATION MODERNIZATION

NGAUS urges Congress to fully fund:

* The documented requirement in all utility helicopter units with the UH-60L/M

* The documented requirement in all attack helicopter battalions to the AH-64D

* The documented requirement in all cargo helicopter units to the CH-47F configuration

* The documented requirement in all aeromedical units with the HH-60

* Acquisition and upgrade of adequate training and simulation devices (TESS and AVCATT)

* The documented requirement in all cargo fixed-wing units with a modernized aircratt

* Procurement of a replacement Aircraft for the OH-58 Airborne A2C2S System

* Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capability in aviation units

* Procurement of the integrated Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP)

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Leveraging emerging technologies to maximize aircraft performance and safety by the acquiring systems such as crashworthy crew and troop seats; inflatable cockpit restraint systems; aircraft imbedded health monitoring systems; night vision systems to include commercial off-the-shelf ????; crashworthy ballistically tolerant auxiliary fuel systems; life support for trauma and transportation; rescue hoist systems; ASE; and Aircrew Survival Radios

* Retaining all the generating force air ambulance units

* The need for the U.S. Northern Command and the U.S. Pacific Command to recognize and include the state fixed-wing flight ddetachments as mission essential for homeland defense

COMBAT MANEUVER (MOUNTED) FORCE MODERNIZATION AND SUSTAINMENT

NGAUS urges Congress to fully fund:

* Improvements to light forces including Stryker, Antiarmor and improved mortar systems

* Extending the service life of Ml series tanks through the Abrams Integrated Management program

* Upgrading of M2AO and M3AO to M2A2/M3A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, including variants (Bradley-Fist), and the upgrade of the M2A2/M3A2 to the M2A2 ODS

* Conversion of M88A1 tank recovery vehicles to the M88A2 Hercules version

* Total requirements on the Bradley Fighting Vehicles, including variants

* Upgrade of the M113 family of vehicles to M113A3 configuration

* Extending the service life of M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles

* Fielding of the SAFCS II

* Procurement of Deployable Advanced Gunnery Training Systems and direct that they be fielded to the Army Guard

* An increase for procurement of SKY WATCH systems to meet initial National Guard homeland security requirements and direct that they be fielded to the National Guard

* Procurement of sufficient virtual maneuver trainers identified as a critical requirement continued funding of the six Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCT), to include the Army Guard SBCT

* Procurement of sufficient Laser Marksmanship Training Systems for full fielding to maintain marksmanship training on individually assigned weapons

COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS AND INTELLIGENCE (C4I) AREAS

NGAUS urges Congress to fully fund:

* Enhanced Position Locating System (EPLRS), a situational awareness computer and software system that is utilized at all levels of the battlefield

* "Shadow" Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV)

* "Phoenix"-AN/USC-60 Triband tactical satellite terminals including their prime movers for echelons above corps (EAC) signal battalions and brigades Warfighter Information Network (WIN-T)

* Sentinel AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar for Forward Area Air Defense

* Completing equipment fielding for the new divisional intelligence battalions that are to be activated in the seven divisions that do not have organic battalions

* Complete suites of All Source Analysis Systems to include all appropriate associated communications support and mission essential equipment for military intelligence units

* Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems

(SINCGARS ASIP)

* Ground Station Mobile/Common Ground Station

* Ground Based Common Sensor or equivalent electronic warfare

* Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Automation Systems

* Additional training oi military intelligence personnel to ensure adequate training in technical areas

* Trojan Spirit Satellite Communication System

* ACUS Modernization systems for the signal divisional, corps, and EAC units in order for them to be an active participant in the Total Army and support the critical mission ol homeland defense

* An increase for procurement of SMART-T satellite terminals for divisional signal battalions and the corps signal battalions

* Existing and new programs for development of home station or joint-forces headquarters mobilization software and integration packages as well as integration and demobilization capabilities

* Enhancement and expansion of video and e-mail capabilities to support soldiers and families involved in mobilization and deployments

* A recommendation that National Guard Bureau and the Department of the Army proceed immediately to reorganize the EAC signal structure into the integrated tactical signal battalion (ITSB) configuration mirroring the reorganization already underway in the active Army

FIRE SUPPORT/FIELD ARTILLERY BATTLE OPERATING SYSTEMS AND RELATED TRAINING DEVICES

NGAUS urges Congress to fund:

* Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Equipment and Training

* Long Range Digital Radio Communications (HF Harris Radios, SATCOM)

* M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

* High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)

* Lightweight 155MM Towed M777

* M109A6 155MM SP Howitzer PALADIN

* M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV)

* Fire Support Sensor Systems (FS3)

* Wireless Gun Display Units

* Lightweight Laser Designator Range Finder (LLDR)

* VIPER Qaser range-finder binocular)

* MARK VlI Target Location System

* Upgrading AN/TPQ 36 Target Acquisition Radar

* KNIGHT Fire Support Vehicle (Humvee Platform)

* Bradley Fire Support Vehicle

* Upgrading Gun Laying Positioning System

* Meteorological Measuring Set-PROFILER (AN/TMQ-52)

* Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck/Trailer (HEMTT/HEMATT)

* Improved Position Azimuth Determining System (IPADS)

* Integrated Family Test Equipment (IFTE)

* AN/TPQ 47 Fire Finder Radar

* Fire-Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer-Towed (FSCATT-T)

* Fire-Support Combined Arms Tactical TrainerMi 09A6 (FSCATT)

* Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Trainer

* Ml 19 HOWITZER

COMBAT SUPPORT/COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT (CS/CSS) FORCE

NGAUS urges Congress to fund:

* Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) M977 series to include the Load Handling System (Ml 120) with trailer (M1076/M1077) and Container Roll Out/In Platform (CROP) and the Container Handling Unit (CHU)

* High mobility multi purpose wheeled vehicles (Humvee) M998A2 series

* Up-armored Humvee (Ml 114) for all National Guard units expected to perform combat, combat support, combat service support, peacekeeping or domestic support missions

* Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)

* FMTV five-ton M1088A1 tractors and M871A3 companion 22.5-ton semi-trailers

* M915A3, M916A3 light equipment transporters, and M917A2 dump trucks to modernize the M915 family of vehicles

* The Tactical Quiet Generator System (TQGS)

* Night vision equipment (AN/PVS-7; Mark VII; GEN IV and equipment/devices) to support "owning the night" end state

* M-22 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm (ACADA) and MCAD

* Ml7 Lightweight Decontamination System (LDS) [Note: The Chemical Decon Units should maintain the authorization for the M12 Decon apparatus and Ml2 should be funded for modernization and repair parts]

* M872 34-ton semi-trailer

* Movement Tracking System (MTS)

* Heavy Equipment Transporters (HETS)

* Drive On/Off secondary Containment System (DOCS)

* AN/VAS-5 Dover's Vision Enhancer (DVE)

* Modular General-Purpose Tent System (MGPTS)

* Chemical Biological Protected Shelter (CBPS)

* Driver simulation units

* Rapidly Deployable Decontamination/Integrated Shelter Systems

* Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck Recovery Vehicles and Tankers (HEMTT)

* Procurement of multipurpose shelter systems

* LV2 Vehicle Intercommunication System to modernize up-armored Humvees

* Forward osmosis water filtration products

* AN/GLQ-16 for fielding

* Movement Tracking System (MTS) fielding levels

COMBAT ENGINEER FORCE MODERNIZATION

NGALJS urges Congress to procure:

* Engineer Mission Module

* M917A2 Dump Truck

* MRBC Enablers (CBT/TRL/BAP/1BC)

* D7 SLEP/Conversion

* Fives-Ton Dump Truck (FMTV)

* AVLB & Bridge Upgrade

* Family of Loaders (FOL)

* High Mobility Emplacement

* Excavator (HMEE)

* Small Emplacement Excavator Rebuild

* Dry Support Bridge

* Engineer Fighting Vehicle

* Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB)

* Skid steer loader

* Heavy crane

* 7.5-Ton crane

* Heavy scraper

* Heavy grader

* 250 CFM Compressor

* sectionalized scraper

* sectionalized grader

* Vibratory roller

* Hydraulic Excavator (HYEX)

* M9 ACE SLEP

* All-Terrain Crane (ATEC)

* Crush, Screen & Wash Plant (CSWP)

* Tactical fire-fighting truck

Whether supporting our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan or providing combat air patrols to major U.S. cities, the Air National Guard will continue to be ready, reliable and relevant to support U.S. security objectives.

Air National Guard weapons systems and equipment are being impacted by a high operations tempo. The cost of maintaining our legacy systems is increasing and the National Guard Association recognizes the need to invest in weapon systems upgrades as well as the need to put new equipment and missions into the ANG. With these needs in mind, the membership of the National Guard Association supports the following resolutions as their legislative objectives in order to ensure our Air National Guard forces are ready for the fight.

FIGHTER MODERNIZATION

F-16 Fighter

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Additional funding for targeting pods and targeting pod upgrades for Block 25/30/32 F-16 aircraft

* Funding to complete engine upgrades to the F-16 Block 42 units by FY 2008

* Full funding to accelerate implementation of Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP) such as Common Configuration Implementation Plan (CCIP), Falcon Star and Beyond Falcon Star for F-16s

* Modernization of F-16 radars with Modernized Programmable Signal Processor (MPSP)

* Equipping the F-16 with a color display capability to support advanced avionics

* Funding for the Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS) pod on F-16 fighters

* Full funding to accelerate implementation of a distributed mission operations capability consisting of a Mission Training Center (MTC) at each fighter unit integrated with a 100 percent-capable distributed training operations center

* Additional funding for the F-16 Tactical Air Reconnaissance System Mission Verification Equipment for units in Michigan and Virginia

F-15 Fighter

NGAUS urges the Congress to support:

* Procurement of the 22OE engine upgrade for all F-15 aircraft

* New state-of-the-art Air-to-Air Interrogator/Identify Friend or Foe (AAI/IFF) systems for all F-15 aircraft

* Acquisition of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) for all F-15 aircraft

* Funding for EGI (Enhanced Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System) for all F-15 aircraft

A/OA-10 Fighter

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Accelerating the fielding of the first spiral of the Precision Engagement program, while seeking enough funds for Litening II Pods for all A-IO units

* Ensuring the A-IO Service Life Extension Program (seeP) remains fully funded, through completion

* Conducting a study to determine the best way to improve A-IO engine performance

* Completing the purchase of Full Mission Trainers for all A-IO units

AIRLIFT AND TANKERS

C-130 Aircraft

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Procurement of C-130J-30 and EC-13OJ Tactical Airlift aircraft and their spares and support equipment to complete unit conversions

* Procurement of laser countermeasures for all variants of the C-130 fleet

* Procurement of airborne wideband satellite connectivity for the entire Commando Solo EC-130 fleet

* Procurement of an aircrew-training device for the EC-130] mission systems

* Modernization and standardization of mission equipment in existing C/EC/HC/LC-130 inventory to update avionics, navigation, radar, defensive, and other mission systems

* Modernization of the propulsion systems in the existing C/EC/HC/LC-130 inventory including the evaluation of new propeller systems

* Procurement of Synthetic Aperture Radar System for LC-130 aircraft

* Funding for the Active Noise Cancellation System for C-130 installation fleet-wide and that this installation also be further studied to assess the potential impact on mean-time-between-failure of key C-130 avionics components and other aircraft structural problems associated with aircraft propeller noise and vibration

* Funding for the acquisition of Advanced Tactical Airborne C4ISR System (ATAC) to complete C-130 based evaluations and fund development of mission specific configurations that support the Electronic Warfare Self Protection (EWSP), anti-missile defense capabilities, wildland firefighting, homeland defense and other missions

* AATTC expansion for the purpose of development of an ATACS training center

* Sufficient quantity of ATAC systems to equip several C-130 units to support full spectrum missions for state missions, including military assistance to civil authorities, and federal missions within the United States or while deployed in support of contingency or other Title 10 missions

* A new rocket-assisted takeoff for use on the LC-130 aircraft to support operations in Greenland and Antarctica

C-17 Aircraft

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Funding to increase procurement of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft by at least 42 additional aircraft (222 total) at a rate of 15 to 18 aircraft per year, to ensure an adequate airlift force in the future

* Programming new production C-17 aircraft into the ANG to ensure the ANG remains modem, ready, reliable and relevant and able to participate more effectively in the Total Force

* Pursuing a congressional plus-up for at least two C-17s per year for four years to stand-up another C-17 unit

C-5 Aircraft

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Reliability Enhancement Re-engimng Program (RERP) for the Air National Guard operated C-5A aircraft in concert with the approved RERP fo the activeduty C-5B fleet

* Funding of Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) tor the C-5A

* The addition of C-5 aircraft into the ANG inventory to replace retiring C-141 aircraft

Air Refueling

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Procuring a modern air refueling aircraft replacement for the KC-135 fleet

* Converting the KC-135E aircraft to the R configuration

* Procuring AN/AAQ-24 (LAIRCM) Self Protection Systems for the KC-135 tanker fleet

* Providing MPRS modification programs for the KC135R fleet as appropriate to meet United States and allied requirements

* Distributing the KC-135Rs from Active Duty Units to the nine remaining E-Model Units

* Funding to purchase Radiant Deicing Equipment for an Operational Test and Evaluation at the 107th Air Refueling Wing

Other Issues

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Funding to re-engine the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft with theJT8D-219 engine and procure theJT8D-219 engines utilizing the 16-year lease initiative

* Funding to initiate Battle Control System Mobile System development activities to ensure the fielding of this critical Theater C2 capability in the FY07 timeframe

* Procurement of Promina Multiplexor suite for all Air Guard combat communication units

* Funding the Theater Deployable Communications Integrated Communications Access Package Simulator along with the USC-60 FSAT SATCOM Terminal Combat Communications unit to ensure the continued relevance and readiness of personnel to support national security objectives both globally and at home

* Funding for the Joint Threat Emitter (JTE) in the FY2006 defense appropriation for the Alpena, Mien., Savannah, Ga., and Gulfport, Miss., combat readiness training centers

* Funding needed tor the replacement of Aircraft rescue and fire fighting equipment (P-19 Fire Trucks)

* Authorizing and appropriating funding lor the procurement of the new Mobile Radar Approach Controls (RAPCON) units

* Funding to acquire a system that can meet the crevasse detection radar requirements on the 109th Airlift Wing LC-OOs to provide Global Reach to the polar regions of the world

* Continued funding of the CV-22 multi-year procurement and support of a multi-year follow-on procurement of additional CV-22

* Procurement and modernization along with sufficient funding for infrastructure and facility support of Combat Arms Training System (CATS) trainers

* Funding and procurement for sufficient Laser Marksmanship Training Systems for full fielding of LMTS to maintain marksmanship training on individually assigned weapons, for improving readiness rates through greater first time weapons qualifications, and saving scarce OPTEMPO funding

* Procurement of the Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) equipment package for pre-positioning at the 171st Medical Group located in Pittsburgh, Pa.

* Support for a capability within the Air Force Medical Service that will be operationally capable of providing a tiered and tailored medical capability that is driven by mission, threat scenario, airlift availability and population at risk; the recommendation to place an EMEDS+ 50 pre-positioned in western Pennsylvania can serve both a nationwide and global need

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