Executive Summary

This booklet is a list of imperatives 45,000 National Guard officers consider essential to accomplishing their state and federal missions.

NGAUS members established their legislative objectives through the passage of resolutions at the 128th General Conference in September 2006. We assembled while nearly 70,000 Guard soldiers and airmen were engaged in operations across the country and around the globe.

The conference theme reflected our unique contributions: "National Guard: Pathway to America's Defense." Indeed, the Guard connects every police stations and firehouse to the Pentagon and every State House to the White House. We also link more than 3,000 communities nationwide with all of America's fighting men and women overseas.

But our role as the connective tissue of national security is in peril, suffering from years of resourcing neglect and a Pentagon culture that excludes Guard leaders from defense planning.

This document illustrates these inexplicable yet irrefutable facts. The Army National Guard needs billions of dollars in equipment just to maintain its current interoperability with the active component and to accomplish its state missions.

The Air Guard suffers a similar plight. Many of the nation's most experienced flight crews and maintainers are at risk of being lost in Air Force future planning. They should be included in fielding plans for next generation aircraft. And in the interim, their aircraft must be modernized.

There is a long-term remedy for this situation: codify in law the Guard's input into major Defense Department decisions. This was the essence of last session's Guard empowerment legislation. Only then might we see Guard needs adequately represented in defense budgets.

Our nation was founded on the principle of citizen-soldiers serving as the pathway to America's defense. We urge Congress to maintain this vital link through a National Guard that is a full partner in planning as well as executing the nation's defense.

Joint Resolutions

Personnel and readiness support from Congress remains a key focus of NGAUS each year. Based on the Guard's "operational force" utilization, NGAUS will seek to reduce discrepancies between the active component and Guard.

Personnel, Benefits and Compensation

NGAUS recommends Congress support the following personnel, benefit and compensation initiatives on behalf of Guardsmen.

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Reduce the age at which a Guardsman receives his/ her pension

* Provide all Guardsmen with TRlCARE Dental Program (TDP) coverage.

* Provide Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay to Guardsmen and Reservists in the following categories: non rated air crew service (Flight Pay); parachutist duty (Jump Pay) and explosive ordinance disposal duty (EOD Pay).

* Provide Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) to rated crewmembers in all service branches to attract and retain volunteers in an aviation career.

* Provide Career Enlisted Flight Incentive Pay to non-rated enlisted crewmembers to compensate for the hazardous nature of such duty and provide an incentive to attract and retain aviation specialty volunteers.

* Provide Diving Duty Special Pay to any Guardsman or Reservist who must maintain proficiency in and perform diving duty.

* Provide Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP) to Guard and Reserve career linguists to increase their foreign language proficiency (FLPP-I) and also for any member to maintain or increase their foreign language proficiency (FLPP-II).

* Fully fund Civil Support Team (CST) Special Duty Assignment Pay at a level consistent with local civilian compensation levels to compensate for a team's rigorous operations tempo and reduce the gap between civilian and military salaries.

* Fund all aspects of warrant officer basic pay table reform.

* Review the Service Member Civil Relief Act and any other applicable laws, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and provide relief for involuntarily mobilized reserve-component members to maintain their pay level. This law should provide that no adverse judicial or administrative action affect a Guardsman or Reservist's credit history from the date of mobilization until 180 days after an active-duty discharge.

* Fully fund an enlistment bonus, regardless of skill or unit (TDA units), until a unit's end strength exceeds 100 percent of authorized end strength for a consistent, 12-month period.

* Honor all existing enlistment contracts and make accrued interest back payments to Guardsmen denied their full lawful payments as stated in their existing contracts.

* Appropriate funds for a program to pay newly appointed warrant and commissioned officers a $20,000 bonus.

* Appropriate funds for a warrant officer retention bonus for critically short specialties.

* Allow Guardsmen and Reservists to deduct all out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of Guard or Reserve membership from federal income tax, without a distance restriction.

* Disapprove the secretary of defense proposal to consolidate DoD military personnel appropriations at the service department level.

* Provide various tax credits to Guard employers and self-employed Guardsmen.

* Support special pay for Guard Special Forces.

* Establish a "bereavement leave" category for those to attend to personal affairs after the loss of an immediate family member due to hostile action.

* Categorize Guardsmen appropriately and commensurate with their active-component counterparts and amend DoD 4515.13-R to identify Guardsmen and their dependents as Category III space-available travel passengers.

* Authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop, in collaboration with local behavioral health service providers and veterans' families, a needs analysis to determine current mental health facility requirements and the personnel required to support active- and reserve-component service members.

* Provide one complete set of the recently fielded Army Combat Uniforms or Air Force Battle Dress Uniforms to all commissioned officers and warrant officers, or provide a uniform allowance to all commissioned officers and warrant officers any time a new or modified uniform is fielded.

* Authorize data collection from pre- andpost-deployment health assessments.

* Support the identification of factors that decrease the likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development, despite combat exposure.

* Model post-deployment mental health practice programs.

* Establish a DoD/VA post-deployment mental health council.

* Support PTSD and other war-related pain management protocols.

* Support substance-use disorder treatment.

* Support PTSD diagnosis protocols.

* Support a national PTSD steering committee.

* Fund a national center for PTSD.

* Support the identification of PTSD deficiencies in disability examinations.

* Establish criteria to determine medical conditions associated with PTSD.

* Appropriate funds to support Guard Tricare access on an affordable cost-share basis, without restrictions. This should include an evaluation of health care reimbursement and savings accounts as alternative medical resources. Federal payment of civilian health care premiums (up to the cost of Tricare coverage) should be an option for those mobilized.

Force Management

Worldwide Guard commitments require up-to-date policies and procedures to allow the Guard to engage in its various commitments. These responsibilities require an abundance of force management tools.

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Support all vital Guard federal and state missions.

* Recommend that the DoD fully fund Guard equipment needs.

* Request the DoD consult with the chief executive officers of the states, as well as Congress, on proposed Guard force structure changes.

* Request any DoD plan regarding Guard force structure take into account the Guard's homeland and other state missions.

* Request the DoD prepare budget projections that detail cost savings from any changes in Guard force structure, as well as projected costs for large personnel increases if needed to respond to a national emergency.

* Request the DoD assure Congress and the governors that potential Guard force structure changes will not negatively impact U.S. security and safety.

* Authorize up to five general officers for each National Guard Bureau (NGB) directorate-Joint, Army and Air. These 15 officers would count toward the total authorized Guard general officers and serve in an Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) status.

* Develop and implement a policy to shorten deployment lengths for Army Guardsmen.

* Support legislation to allow the use of federally funded activecomponent personnel and reservists in support of state active-duty missions and amend current legislation to equate Title 10 and Title 32 in all other aspects.

* Increase the National Guard Counterdrug Program average end strength to a minimum of 2,763 authorizations in accordance with PBD095, dated Dec. 11, 2001, and move toward the congressionally approved maximum authorization of 4,000 Guardsmen. In addition, provide necessary funding to the fiscal 2008 National Guard State Plans Presidential Budget and future years' budgets to maintain the program's required end strength.

* Authorize and direct a Guard general officer as deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command.

* Fully fund the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA).

* Support mobile tactical operations centers for joint force headquarters (JFHQ) and state joint task force command elements to enable command and control of homeland defense, support to civil authorities and/or other domestic emergency missions.

* Appropriate funds for training the civilian and uniformed emergency responders for a weapons of mass destruction attack, including the Guard and Reserve

* Properly equip and train Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive enhanced response forces, rapid reaction forces and communications elements in support of homeland defense and security.

* Support authorization and appropriation for the Interim Satellite Incident Site Communication Set.

* Support authorization and appropriation for training of civilian and uniformed emergency responders, to include the reserve components, to enable adequate support to local, state and federal authorities in response to manmade and natural disasters.

* Authorize and appropriate additional funding in operations and maintenance and direct that this funding be used to field the Civil Support Team Trainer (CSTT) program and expand the scenario database.

* Procure Forward Osmosis Water Filtration products for use by the 2,360 units in 54 states, territories and the District of Colombia.

* Procure the proper body armor to afford Guardsmen the best protection available prior to entering any hostile environment.

* Fully field Extended Cold Weather Clothing Systems, outerwear, footwear, sleep systems and gloves for the Guard.

* Support existing and new programs for development of home station or JFHQ mobilization software and integration packages as well as integration and demobilization capabilities. In addition, ensure continued funds are available to maintain, sustain and provide life-cycle management for deployed information technology infrastructure.

* Ensure long-term funding for personnel and C4 networks required for counterdrug operational missions and procurement and upgrade of equipment uniquely suited and needed to support those missions.

* Fully fund each Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Center: the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, the Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine and the Casualty Care Research Center.

* Authorize and appropriate standardized cabinets for both storage and onward movement of authorized tool sets and priority loading lists.

* Implement a direct appointment option for selected senior noncommissioned officers in grade E-7 and above who have completed the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course to the warrant officer corps.

* Allow Guardsmen and Reservists to continue in a temporary-duty status, while receiving per diem, basic allowance for subsistence and basic allowance for housing entitlements, for the duration of any technical or professional military education course.

* Change the current Selected Reserve Incentive Program regulatory guidance to allow newly commissioned officers and warrant officers to retain their enlisted SRIP eligibility for what would have been the remainder of their enlisted term, after acceptance of their commission.

* Remove the congressionally established ceiling on nondual status personnel in order to maintain readiness as a result of mobilizations and deployments, accommodate returning soldiers and airmen with disabling injuries and return Office of Workers Compensation Program (OWCP) recipients to work from the permanent long-term OWCP rolls.

* Eliminate benefit discrepancies between duty performed under Title 10 (federal) and Title 32 (state) by allowing Title 32 military service to be credited in the same manner as Title 10 for operational missions.

* Support alternative sources of appointment to warrant officer, to include direct appointment, warrant officer candidate schools at regional training institutes and reserve warrant officer training courses at technical colleges.

* Focus on military family support programs that meet unique Guard and Reserve family needs.

* Amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to require college refund provisions for new recruits and those already on active duty and in the reserves who must pay tuition expenses while unable to complete a semester and school term due to the military emergency. It should also protect the academic standing of mobilized reserve-component students.

* Extend the period of time for use of the Chapter 1606 Montgomery Gl Bill educational benefit for as long as the member remains in the Guard or Reserve, increase the benefit payments and link to the active-duty benefit for future payments and ensure the law governing the benefit in Chapter 1606 is under the jurisdiction of the same congressional committee with oversight of the active-duty benefit.

* Discontinue use of Social Security numbers as a service member or retiree's identification.

* Authorize and appropriate funds in excess of the president's budget proposal to meet the DoD validated requirements of the five Guard counterdrug schools and suggest to each administration that these school programs be fully funded in each year's presidential budget request.

* Provide basic housing allowance for single members called to active duty, even when government housing is supplied, and afford married members the option to receive a housing allowance based on where they are assigned or where they live, whichever is higher.

* Authorize and fund NGB to define and procure a unique "national enterprise" available through one of the several Enterprise Recourse Planning solutions, such as Oracle.

Homeland Security

With increased responsibilities abroad in the war on terror, the Guard must remain the lead in homeland missions.

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Meet the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition requirements for remote surveillance towers for northern and southern border states.

* Fund and sustain counterdrug missions and demand reduction programs.

* Accelerate Guard military construction programs to meet new mission requirements, plus provide a minimum sufficient balance for each Guard component to apply against the current Army and Air Guard mission backlog.

Education/Information Technology

Technological advances inconceivable 20 or 30 years ago are now a major component of the Guard's everyday operations. These advances have allowed the Guard to forge military partners.

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Fund the Advanced Information Technology Services effort in the future years' defense programs to include fiscal year 2008 authorizations and appropriations.

* Fund the Joint CONUS Communication Support Environment.

* Procure and modernize night vision equipment, including upgrading existing systems where appropriate, which provides equal capability to operate as part of the Total Force.

* Continue funding and procure sufficient Laser Marksmanship Training Systems (LMTS) for full fielding of LMTS to the Army and Air Guard to maintain marksmanship training on individually assigned weapons.

Retirees/Veterans

Positive retiree and veteran rewards and benefits are the most powerful recruiting tool the Army and Air Guard have. Congress must realize that the post-9/11 world has created an influx of Guard veterans.

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Eliminate the disparity between Title 10 and Title 32 service by making retired medical benefits of Title 32 AGR soldiers and airmen the same as Title 10 active-duty members.

* Allow military service under Title 32 to be creditable in the same manner as that of service under Title 10 and provide creditable buy-back toward civil service retirement.

* Apply cost-of-living allowance indexing for federal employee's retirement system annuitants forced to retire before the age of 62 due to loss of military affiliation.

* Encourage Concurrent Receipt of Disability Pay and Combat Related Special Compensation to career status Guardsmen and Reservists who are 100 percent disabled, including the 100-percent individual unemployables.

* Institute a funding mandate to allow for priority use of qualified military buglers in a retired status at funeral honors when a currently serving active, Guard or Reserve bugler is not available.

* 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 a 2 percent reduction per year for each year under age 55.

* Include in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) an "open window" for reserve component retirees to re-select an SBP at age 60.

* Allow seamless transition between the DoD and the VA.

* Provide eligibility to retired Guardsmen for federal retired annuity payment residency in state veterans' homes and stipulate that they not be required to pay more than 50 percent of the allowed VA rates.

* Allow equal burial rights and "veteran" status to reservists who successfully complete their military service.

* Increase the burial plot allowance to $1,000.

* Revise the 90-point annual limitation on the number of Inactive Duty Points creditable toward eligibility for a reserve component retirement. Cap total annual points at 365.

* Authorize concurrent receipt of longevity military retirement pay and disability compensation without regard to a specific VA disability rating.

* Ensure that reserve component members reach paid-up status, paying premiums for 30 years or until the death of the service member, whichever comes first.

* Ensure reserve component members age 70 and those who have paid SBP premiums for at least 30 years be able to stop paying premiums while retaining SBP coverage for their survivors, effective Oct. 1, 2008.

Employment Assistance/Employer Support

In the current high-tempo environment, National Guardsmen and their families face potential peril. They need the reassurance of having a viable career after deployment.

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Integrate the business community with the military community at the state level.

* Provide local specialized job-placement assistance to Guardsmen and their families.

* Enhance the command climate with tools that state adjutants general and unit leadership could use to balance military duty, family life, and career stability.

* Help fill the gap of unemployed and underpaid Guardsmen in the civilian workforce.

* Reinforce favorable reenlistment decisions of those returning from deployment who need to find a new career with a Guard-friendly employer.

* Recruit new Guardsmen as they leave active-duty military service by providing personalized civilian job assistance.

* Expand the base of Guard-friendly employers as part of an effort to surround Guardsmen with community support.

* Provide the essential elements for local grass roots good news media events to celebrate the military community and those who support military service.

Army National Guard Resolutions

The Army National Guard (ARNG) bears little resemblance to the same force before 9/11. That date defined the ARNG's future. With nearly half the troops on the ground in Iraq last year, the ARNG also devoted efforts, equipment and sacrifice to Afghanistan.

Army National Guard Aviation Modernization

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Meet the documented requirement in all ARNG utility helicopter units with the UH-60L/M Black Hawk.

* Meet the documented requirement in all ARNG cargo helicopter units with the CH-47F Chinook.

* Support the A to L recapitalization program for all UH60A aircraft.

* Meet the documented AH-64D Apache Longbow requirement in all ARNG attack helicopter battalions.

* Meet the documented requirement for a modernized aircraft, such as the Joint Cargo Aircraft, in all cargo fixed-wing units.

* Maximize aircraft performance and safety through technologies such crashworthy seats, inflatable cockpit restraint systems, the Electronic Digital Engine Control Unit (EDECU) for the UH-60, commercial off-the-shelf surveillance systems, crashworthy ballistic-tolerant auxiliary fuel systems, life support for trauma and transportation, rescue hoist systems, aircraft survivability equipment and aircrew survival radios.

* Recognize and include ARNG state fixed-wing flight detachments as mission essential to homeland defense.

* Retain all force generating air ambulance units.

* Procure the light utility helicopter (UH-72 Lakota).

* Support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capability in aviation units.

* Procure and upgrade adequate training and simulation devices (Tactical Engagement Simulation System and Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer).

* Procure an Army Airborne Command and Control System (A2C2S).

* Procure the integrated Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP) or Integrated Health Management System (IMD-HUMS).

* Procure external electric hoists.

* Procure a single-engine replacement for existing C-12 Huron and C-26 Metroliner aircraft.

* Procure digital moving map and flat panel displays.

* Meet the documented requirement for improved Blue Force Tracking Systems in all aircraft.

* Procure Advanced Tactical Integrated Mission Management Systems (ATIMMS).

Combat Maneuver (Mounted) Force Modernization and Sustainment

NGAUS urges Congress to:

* Extend the service life of all ARNG Ml Series tanks through the Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) program.

* Upgrade ARNG M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, including variants, to the M2A2 Operation Desert Storm standard.

* Convert M88A1 tank recovery vehicles to the M88A2 Hercules version.

* Upgrade and fill 100 percent of the ARNG required M113 family of vehicles to M113A3 and M1068A3 configurations.

* Meet the ARNG requirement for small arms and crew served weapons to include anti-armor and mortar systems.

* Meet the ARNG requirements for maneuver, gunnery and combat training systems and simulators.

* Support transformation of at least two additional ARNG Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) into Stryker BCTs.

* Require a fielding plan to equip the ARNG heavy BCTs with the M1A2 SEP tank and the M2A3 BFV as well as develop plans to integrate Future Combat System (FCS) fielding to these formations.

* Support fielding of Chassis Modernization/Embedded Diagnostics (CMED) with the Sidecar/Embedded Diagnostics System to ARNG heavy BCTs.

Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence Areas

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Satellite communications "Phoenix"- AN/USC-60 Triband tactical satellite terminals, including their prime movers for Echelons Above Corps ARNG signal battalions and brigades/SMART-T satellite terminals for Army National Guard division signal battalions and the corps signal Bbattalions.

* The "Shadow" Tactical UAV

* The Trojan Spirit Satellite Communication System.

* The Enhanced Position Locating System (EPLRS), a situational awareness computer and software system utilized at all levels battlefield levels.

* The Joint Network Node QNN) for communications and data network access.

* The Warfighter Information Network (WlN-T) communications system.

* The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar for Forward Area air defense.

* Equipment fielding for the new divisional intelligence battalions.

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

* Ground Station Mobile/Common Ground Station.

* Human Intelligence (HUMINT) automation systems.

* Additional training of ARNG military intelligence personnel to insure adequate training in technical areas.

* The purchase of the Area Common User System (ACUS) modernization systems for ARNG units to make them an active participant in the Total Force and support the critical mission of homeland defense.

* Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) development.

* Field Joint Incident Site Communications Capability 01SCC) to all states and territories and increase the number of sets to large states.

* Army Battle Command System (ABCS) family of systems.

Fire Support/Field Artillery Battle Operating Systems and Related Training Devices

The ARNG comprises a significant portion of the Army's field artillery force, evident by the high operations tempo since 9/11. With this in mind, simultaneous programming and fielding of equipment with the active component is crucial.

Field artillery units must be capable of mobilizing for active federal service in rime of war or national emergency.

NGAUS urges Congress to procure:

* Field Artillery Tactical Data System (FATDS).

* Long-range digital radio communications, including satellite systems and high-frequency radios.

* Lightweight 155mm towed M777A1.

* Improved Position Azimuth Determining System (IPADS).

* M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

* High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

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

* Paladin Digital Fire Control System (PDFCS) for M109A6 155 MM SP Howitzer.

* Prime Mover M119A2 Howitzer.

* Counter Battery Target Acquisition Radar (AN/TPQ 36/37) enhancements.

* M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV).

* VECTOR/VIPER laser-range-finder binocular.

* Lightweight Laser Designator Range Finder (LLDR).

* Upgrades to the Gun Laying Positioning System (GLPS).

* Bradley fire-support vehicle.

* MARK VII target location system.

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

* KNIGHT fire support vehicle (Humvee Platform) with Fire Support Sensor Systems (FS3).

* MLRS Trainer.

* Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer-Mi09A6.

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

* Combat Arms Training System (CATS).

* Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) data radio.

* Call-For-Fire Trainer.

* Replacement howitzer systems for the ARNG's antiquated M102 systems.

Combat Support/Combat Service Support Force

NGAUS urges Congress to procure:

* Sustainment equipment items for the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI).

* Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) to include the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, Palletized Load System trucks and trailers and modernize Heavy Equipment Transport System.

* Container Roll Out/In Platform (CROP) and the Container Handling Unit (CHU).

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

* Up-armored Humvees.

* Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).

* Tactical trailers.

* M915A3 Line-Haul Tractors and M916A3 Light Equipment Transporters.

* The Tactical Quiet Generator System (TQGS).

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

* Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS).

* M-22 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm (ACADA).

* Joint Service Transportable Decontamination System (JSTDS-SS).

* Drive On/Off secondary Containment System (DOCS).

* Modular General-Purpose Tent System (MGPTS) and combat shelters.

* Chemical Biological Protected Shelter (CBPS).

* Driver simulation units.

* Rapid deployable decontamination/integrated shelter system.

* Movement tracking system.

* Warlock (AN/GLQ-16).

* Vehicle Intercommunications System (VlS) for Humvee, including LV2.

* AN/PAS-13 II Thermal Weapon Sights.

* M969A3 and M967A2 tankers.

* On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) system.

* Universal military maintenance and repair kit.

* Universal compact welding machines.

* Battery-powered torch kits.

* Universal hydraulic test kits.

* Improved Chemical Agent Monitor (ICAM).

* Recap M939 to M939A3.

* Mobile wireless computer training system.

* M871A3 22.5 ton semi-trailers.

* ARR Mobility Shop Containers (MSC).

* Electronic counter measure equipment (RCIED).

* Combat Service Support Very Small Aperture Terminal (CSS VSAT) satellite communication systems.

Combat Engineer Force Modernization NGAUS urges Congress to procure:

* Husky, Meercat, and Buffalo equipment as parts of the Ground Standoff Mine Detection System (GSTAMIDS).

* Engineer mission module.

* 40-ton crane.

* M917A2 dump truck.

* 7.5-ton crane.

* Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC) Enablers-Common Bridge Transporter (CBT)/M1076 trailer/Bridge Adapter Pallets (BAP)/Improve Boat Cradles (IBC).

* 14-cubic-yard scraper.

* D7 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)/Conversion.

* Road graders.

* Five-ton FMTV dump truck.

* 250 cubic feet per minute compressor.

* Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) & Bridge Upgrade.

* Sectionalized scrapers and graders.

* Family of Loaders (FOL).

* High Mobility Emplacement Vibratory Roller Excavator (HMEE).

* Hydraulic Excavator (HYEX).

* Small Emplacement Excavator rebuild.

* M9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) SLEP

* Dry support bridge.

* All-Terrain Crane (ATEC).

* Engineer fighting vehicle.

* Crush, Screen & Wash Plant (CSWP).

* Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB).

* Skid steer loader.

* M-Gators.

* M870A3 40-ton semi-trailers.

* HEMTT Light Equipment Transporter (LET).

Equipment for Units Returning From the Global War on Terrorism

NGAUS urges the secretary of the Army to determine required funding levels for equipment replacement and purchase to allow units returning from a theater of operations without their organic equipment, to receive enough equipment to provide meaningful training and support state homeland security missions. In addition, NGAUS urges Congress to provide the required funding to equip and maintain proper training and readiness.

Civil Support Team Training

In order to sustain and improve the level of initial training required for the CSTs, a comprehensive recurrent training program must focus on individual and collective training with regard to interagency operations and battle staff skills. Deployments since 9/11 have validated the requirement for a Civil Support Team Training (CSTT) program.

NGAUS urges Congress to authorize and appropriate an operations and maintenance fund to field the CSTT program.

Increased Efficiency for Guard Mobilization and Demobilization

NGAUS recommends the Army and National Guard Bureau, in coordination with individual states, review the ARNG mobilization process to ensure it produces combat ready units in the most efficient manner. This review should address, home station mobilization/demobilization, pre-mobilization guidance, the effect of ARNG premobilization unit readiness levels on required post-mobilization training, mobilization training lengths, mobilization station training facilities, mobilization station standardization and other pertinent issues. This review should produce specific recommendations and be completed within one year.

Full-Time Manning

The ARNG has a significant shortfall in full-time manning. The force currently receives funding to fill 58 percent of its Army-validated full-time positions, a significantly lower level than the other reserve components.

NGAUS worked with Congress to create a ramp that increases expenditures for full-time manning to 71 percent of validated positions over a 10-year period (by 2012). The Army agreed to the ramp and funded the annual increases from fiscal 2003 through 2006; however, no new positions were added in the fiscal 2007 budget. In order to increase ARNG readiness, NGAUS recommends resuming and accelerating the increases to reach the 71 percent full-time manning level by 2010.

Medical Information Management

Under the Army Force Generation Model, Guardsmen move with their units through reset, ready, available and mobilized phases. Upon their demobilization, medical information tracking for each Guardsman is essential.

Because typical clinic operations may not be available during a natural disaster, NGAUS recommends that Congress support a medical information management system for Guardsmen and Reservists. Key functions would include patient management, vaccine administration and control, disaster/mass casualty response, bioterrorism response, clinical process automation, and staff and patient surge capacity management.

Air National Guard Resolutions

The Air National Guard (ANG) continuously supports the nation's fight against terrorism while protecting the homeland. Whether supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing combat air patrols over major U.S. cities, affecting rescues on the Gulf Coast during disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or responding to the needs of the nation's global partners, the ANG is one of the most flexible and innovative forces the world knows. Yet it often flies under the public radar.

For example, while media reports credited the June 2006 elimination of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq to a generic Air Force strike, it was two Air Guard F-16 aircraftusing the ANG-devloped LITENING targeting pod-that completed the mission.

This high operations tempo heavily impacts ANG weapons systems and equipment, and maintenance costs continue to increase while equipment gets older. NGAUS recognizes the need to invest in weapon systems upgrades as well as new equipment, aircraft and new missions. NGAUS membership supports the following resolutions to ensure the ANG remains an equal partner in the Total Force.

Future of the Air National Guard

With the recent changes as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions and the Air Force's evolving Total Force Integration (TFI), many within the ANG are concerned with missioning, training and manning. At the 128th NGAUS General Conference in September, NGAUS members approved resolutions to encourage recognition of the ANG as a critical partner in the defense of the country and efforts abroad. NGAUS urges the National Guard Bureau (NGB), Air Force, Department of Defense and Congress to work collectively to develop a TF1 strategy with the following principles in mind:

* The militia-basing concept connects the Air Force to communities dispersed throughout the nation and provides for an agile and quick response to dispersed threats.

* The ANG generates cost efficiencies, capabilities and community support at the state level when included as an integral part of the Air Force structure.

* A strong ANG is in the best interest of the United States because it serves as a baseline force for homeland defense, which includes civil engineering, medical, security forces and air sovereignty/air defense capabilities.

* Retention of ANG flying missions will help nurture and sustain direct connectivity with America's communities while supporting the expeditionary Air Force in a costeffective manner.

* The exceptional expertise and experience that ANG members offer provides significant value for Total Force training.

* The nation is well served by a continuing dialog involving the Air Force, NGB, ANG, NGAUS and the adjutants general as threats evolve and new missions emerge.

* All parties must participate in enacting revisions affecting the ANG in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), TFI process and threat analysis initiatives.

* Ensure the ANG is a full partner moving forward in harmony with the active force into new and emerging mission areas.

* Ensure the ANG is properly represented in the Office of the Secretary of Defense corporate decision-making processes, particularly in conducting studies and actions that directly impact ANG missioning, resourcing and funding.

* Ensure the ANG is properly represented in the Department of the Air Force corporate decision-making processes for the development of all policy initiatives that directly impact ANG missioning, resourcing and funding.

FIGHTER MODERNIZATION: F-16 Fighter

The F-16 has proven itself time and again as one of the most effective components of the ANG fighter force. While new weapons systems are on the way, the Air Force continues to rely on F-16 units. Reliance on this system requires a commitment on the part of the Air Force to upgrade and modernize the F-16.

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Additional funding for targeting pods and procurement for block 25/30/32/42/52 aircraft.

* Complete FlOO PW-229 engine upgrades to the ANG Block 42 units.

* Full funding and acceleration of service-life extension programs such as Common Configuration Implementation Plan (CCIP), Falcon Star, and Structural Life Improvement Program (SLIP).

* Modernizing F-16 Radars with Modernized Programmable Signal Processor (MPSP).

* Procurement of joint helmet mounted cuing system for the F-16.

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

* The immediate purchase of block 60 or newer block F-16 aircraft in sufficient numbers to offset the loss or decommissioning of older model F-16 aircraft and the delivery of those aircraft directly to the ANG and Air Force Reserve (AFRES).

* Procurement of the Tactical Air Reconnaissance system (TARS) Mission Verification Equipment.

* Funding for all new weapons system mission areas and mission enhancements with sufficient full-time and traditional manpower to support, maintain, and employ them and ensure manpower levels will be determined by a viable and recognized study methodology.

* Funding for APG-68 (v) 10 Synthetic Aperture Radars for the ANG F-16 All Weather Precision Attack capability.

* Funding to equip one squadron each in the ANG and AFRES F-16 Block 30 fleet with ALR-69A.

* Procurement and fielding of the commercial fire control computer

* Equipping ANG F-16s with a digital radar warning receiver.

* Acquiring Threat Geo-Location for precision accuracy of threat positions.

FIGHTER MODERNIZATION: F-15 Fighter

Like the F-16, the ANG F-15 fleet encounters sophisticated threat areas throughout the world as part of the Expeditionary Air Force employment concept. As the ANG currently operates 100 percent of the F-15A/B fighter aircraft in the Air Force inventory, it must remain a viable, supportable, combat capable and ready to fly this aircraft well into the future.

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Procurement of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the ANG F-15 aircraft units.

* Procurement of an advanced radar warning receiver.

* Procurement of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System OHMCS).

* Procurement of 220E engine upgrade.

* New weapons system mission areas and mission enchancements that are fully funded with sufficient full-time and traditional manpower to support, maintain and employ them, with manpower levels determined by a viable and recognized study methodology.

FIGHTER MODERNIZATION: A/OA-10

Reconstitution and upgrades of the A/OA-10 is underway and the ANG will see some benefit from this program, but as the aircraft is to remain part of the fighter force structure beyond 2015, it must be effective and survivable on the modern digital battlefield, so NGAUS encourages key systems upgrades to ensure the basic airframe is maintained.

NGAUS urges the Congress to support:

* An interim data-link solution for the A-10.

* Accelerating the fielding of the first spiral of the Precision Engagement (PE) program and seeking enough funds for additional targeting pods.

* Restoring engine upgrade funding to the engine upgrade program.

* Ensuring the A-10 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), although currently fully funded, remains as programmed through completion.

* Completing the purchase of Full Mission Trainers (FMT) with precision engagement cockpits.

* Hosting test program sets on the improved-avionics intermediate shop for 10 A-10 line replacement units.

* New weapons system mission areas and mission enchancements that are fully funded with sufficient full-time and traditional manpower to support, maintain and employ them, and ensure manpower levels are determined by a viable and recognized study methodology.

* Additional funding for the best advanced targeting pod for the ANGA/OA-10.

AIRLIF AND TANKERS: C-130 Aircraft

With nearly half of the Air Force's total theater airlift force structure and a more active involvement in worldwide operations than ever before, the ANG continues this level of support despite an aging fleet of aircraft. Approximately 30 percent of the ANG C-130 fleet consists of C-130E model aircraft, which are more than 30 years old.

NGAUS urges the Congress to support:

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

* Procurement of Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure Systems (LAlRCM) for all variants of the ANG C-130 fleet.

* Procurement of airborne wideband satellite connectivity for the entire Commando Solo EC-130 fleet and the remainder of the C-130J fleet.

* Procurement an aircrew training device for the EC-13OJ mission systems.

* Modernizing and standardizing mission equipment in existing C/EC/HC/MC/LC-130 inventory to update avionics, navigation, radar, defensive and other mission systems.

* Modernizing the propulsion systems in the existing C/EC/HC/MC/LC-130 with the NP2000 propeller and in-flight propeller balancing system and electronic valve housing.

* Procurement of Active Noise Cancellation Systems (ANCS) to be used in C-130 aircraft.

* Procurement of Synthetic Aperture Radar System for LC-130 aircraft and crevasse detection radar requirements.

* Procurement of APN-241 low power radars.

* Procurement of electronic information systems.

* Procurement of engine instrument display system.

* Full funding of Common Avionics Architecture for Penetration (CAAP) as it enters low rate initial production.

* Completing modification of EC-130J aircraft for the Commando Solo mission including procurement of modular mission equipment systems.

* Procurement of equipment for rocket assisted takeoff for LC-130.

* Procurement of Battery Control Electronic Module (BCEM) for C/EC/HC/LC-130.

* Fully funded new weapons system mission areas and mission enchancements with sufficient full-time and traditional manpower to support, maintain and employ them, with manpower levels determined by a viable and recognized study methodology.

AIRLIFT AND TANKERS: C-17 Aircraft

While the ANG owns 16 percent of the nation's total strategic airlift capability, the ANG's airlift fleet is comprised primarily of aging aircraft, such as the C-5 Galaxy. The ANG must keep pace by employing the most advanced airlift capability. The C-17 is one of the most capable aircraft in the Air Force inventory. Providing additional C-17 aircraft to the ANG would enhance the Guard's ability to support worldwide logistics needs

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Funding for an increase in procurement of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

AIRLIFT AND TANKERS: C-5 Aircraft

The C-5 is only one of two aircraft capable of delivering both outsize and oversize cargo due to cargo dimensions and cargo compartment constraints. It is the world's most capable aircraft for moving very large payloads over very long distances. A significant amount of the equipment a war fighter needs in the first 30 days when responding to a crisis or conflict is only deliverable by C-5. The need for a modernized, cost effective and reliable C-5 fleet is critical to supporting our war fighter.

NGAUS urges the Congress to support:

* Advancing the Reliability Enhancement Re-engining Program (RERP) for the ANG C-5A aircraft in concert with the approved RERP for the active-duty C-5B fleet.

* Funding of aircraft modernization program for the C-5A in concert with the approved program for the active-duty C-5B fleet.

* Funding for crown skin and contour box beam fitting modification/repair.

* Procurement of Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) for the C-5.

* Continuing the addition of C-5 aircraft into the ANG inventory.

* To ensure all new weapons system mission areas and mission enhancements must be fully funded with sufficient full-time and traditional manpower to support, maintain and employ them. Manpower levels will be determined by a viable and recognized study methodology.

AIRLIFT AND TANKERS: Air Refueling

The ANG aircraft inventory also includes the KC-135 model E and R. The KC-135 is the recognized workhorse of the U.S. tanker fleet and continues to be utilized in supporting our operations around the world.

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Procurement of a modern air refueling aircraft replacement for the KC-135 fleet.

* Procurement of the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure system (LAIRCM) for the ANG KC-135 tanker fleet.

* Funding MPRS modification programs for the ANG KC-135 R fleet as appropriate to meet U.S. and allied requirements.

* Distributing the KC-135Rs from active-component units to the remaining E-Model ANG units.

* Procurement of engine instrument display system.

* Funding of all new weapons system mission areas and mission enhancements with sufficient full-time and traditional manpower to support, maintain and employ them, with manpower levels determined by a viable and recognized study methodology.

* Procurement of Electronic Flight Information System Upgrade for Air National Guard KC-135 aircraft.

Other Air National Guard Issues

In addition to the above programs, many other individual programs concern our units and members serving in the Guard.

NGAUS urges Congress to support:

* Funding to re-engine the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft.

* Funding for the procurement of the new mobile Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) units.

* Increased funding for needed replacement of aircraft rescue and fire fighting equipment.

* Additional funding to initiate Battle Control System (BCS) development activities to ensure the fielding of this critical theater command and control capability.

* Air Force modernization efforts to fund the theater deployable communications integrated communications access package simulator along with the USC-60 Flyaway Tri-band Satellite Terminal Satellite Communications Terminal Combat Communications unit to ensure the continued relevance and readiness of personnel to support national security objectives both globally and at home.

* Funding to procure and field the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter directly to the Air National Guard.

* Funding V-22 multi-year procurement and sustainment; it is further recommended that the Congress direct the Department of Defense to define Homeland Security lift requirements with full consideration of tilt rotor capabilities and identify emerging roles and missions best satisfied by V-22 to be operated by the ANG.

* Funding to increase procurement of C-40 aircraft.

* Funding to provide AN/AAQ-24 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System Self Protection Systems (LAIR-CM) for the ANG C-5.C, EC, HC, MC -130, E-8 and KC-135 aircraft.

* Funding the upgrading of the RC-26B fleet of aircraft to meet current and future mission needs in counterdrug, defense, homeland defense and homeland security.

* Funding for simulators and distributed mission operations for ANG weapon systems.

* Funding for the intratheater airlift aircraft.

* Efforts to place distributed common ground systems within ANG units.

* Funding to stand-up the military's first near space squadron; this unit will operate a deployable, free-floating balloon system for tactical use by joint war fighters.

* Funding to immediately modernize the Predator ground control equipment for installation when ANG units initially transition to operate the MQ-1 Predator System.

* Additional battle control system funding, to accelerate modernization of both the NORAD air defenses for homeland security and the worldwide deployable Theater Air Control System.

* Funding for all ANG ranges.

* Resourcing NGB/ANG security personnel who support Air Force security measures.

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