Sign the Petition – Click Here

Former TAG writes letter on behalf of the 259th.

Resolution against closing the 259th.

259th Save our Squadron Facebook Page….Like This!

Article in the Shreveport Times

CENLA Delegation presses Congress to support the 259th

March 22, 2012                                                                                                                            

VA Expands Medical Forms Program to Support Faster Claims Processing

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today the release of 68 new forms that will help speed the processing of Veterans’ disability compensation and pension claims.

“VA employees will be able to more quickly process disability claims, since disability benefits questionnaires capture important medical information needed to accurately evaluate Veterans’ claims,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Disability benefits questionnaires are just one of many changes VA is implementing to address the backlog of claims.”

The new forms bring to 71 the number of documents, called disability benefits questionnaires (DBQs), that guide physicians’ reports of medical findings, ensuring VA has exactly the medical information needed to make a prompt decision.

When needed to decide a disability claim for compensation or pension benefits, VA provides Veterans with free medical examinations for the purpose of gathering the necessary medical evidence.

Veterans who choose to have their private physicians complete the medical examination can now give their physicians the same form a VA provider would use.  It is very important that physicians provide complete responses to all questions on the DBQs.  VA cannot pay for a private physician to complete DBQs or for any costs associated with examination or testing.

“By ensuring relevant medical information can be found on one form, we will cut processing time while improving quality,” added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

VA Expands Medical Forms  

DBQ’s can be found at http://benefits.va.gov/disabilityexams.  The newly released DBQs follow the initial release of three DBQs for Agent Orange-related conditions.

Veterans may file a claim online through the eBenefits web portal at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov.  The Department of Defense and VA jointly developed the eBenefits portal as a single secure point of access for online benefit information and tools to perform multiple self-service functions such as checking the status of their claim.

Servicemembers may enroll in eBenefits using their Common Access Card at any time during their military service, or before they leave during their Transition Assistance Program briefings. Veterans may also enroll in eBenefits and obtain a Premium account in-person or online depending on their status.

1) Senator: Give Guard plan more than ‘lip service’

By : Brian Everstine – Air Force Times: March 20, 2012

“Air Force leaders said they will meet with Defense Department officials Friday to address concerns that the service’s proposed 2013 budget cuts too many Air National Guard members and aircraft. The Council of Governors, whose members are angered by what they say are disproportionate cuts to Guard units in their states, has presented an alternative plan to Air Force leaders that would shift more of the burden to the active duty force.”

For the full article please click here.

2) Senators push Air Force on Cuts to Air Guard

By Brandon Conradis – The Hill: March 20, 2012

“Senators from both parties emphasized their hometown concerns with the Pentagon’s budget Tuesday, focusing on local bases and proposed Air Force cuts to the Air National Guard at a Senate hearing. ‘I have significant concerns about the way the Air Force’s proposed cuts fall disproportionately on the National Guard, and I question the logic that the Air Force used in crafting their proposal,’ said Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) at Tuesday’s hearing. Levin’s home state of Michigan is among those facing possible cuts to its Air National Guard as part of the Air Force’s budget, which would slash personnel and aircraft on bases across the country.”

For the full article please click here.

3) Many Letters Sent to DoD and Capitol Hill Regarding Proposed Air Force Cuts

Recently, the U.S. Air Force proposed cuts in its fiscal 2013 budget request. In response to this, adjutants general from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia signed a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. A similar letter was sent from 49 governors to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Additionally, the Co-chairs of the House and Senate National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus (NGRCC) signed a bicameral bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Defense.

To view the Adjutants General Association of the United States letter click here.

To view the National Governors Association letter click here.

To view the NGRCC letter click here.

4) The C-27 truth vacuum

By: Philip Ewing – DoDbuzz.com: March 20, 2012

“Did the Air Force’s leadership appreciate the hornet’s nest it was kicking over by proposing to ice its entire fleet of C-27J Spartans? It has seemed completely unprepared for the backlash it has faced over the decision. Anyone can say anything about how much the twin-engine airlifter costs to fly, whether it’s more efficient than the four-engine C-130, how many airmen it requires, or anything else. Last week it was confusing; this week it’s a truth vacuum.”

For the full article please click here.

To view Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) question AF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz as referenced in the story click here.

5) Senators Tell USAF to Prove C-27 Cost Claims

By: Marcus Weisgerber – Defense News: March 20, 2012

“U.S. senators are demanding that the Air Force explain the metrics it used to estimate the lifetime cost of operating the C-27J cargo plane, which the service has proposed canceling in the Pentagon’s 2013 budget proposal. Democrats and Republicans, primarily from states where Air National Guard units fly or are slated to fly the aircraft, questioned the Air Force’s rationale for scrapping the fleet of 21 purchased aircraft.”

For the full article please click here.

DoD’s Political Battles

6) Senators to Pentagon: No troop cuts until Congress gets a say in budget

By: Jeremy Herb – The Hill: March 19, 2012

“The leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee are warning the Pentagon: Don’t make any sudden moves without consulting us first. Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and ranking member John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Monday urging the Pentagon not to reduce forces until the congressional committees have authorized the 2013 Defense budget.”

For the full article please click here.

7) McCaskill deals serious blow to BRAC

By: Jeremy Herb – The Hill: March 21, 2012

“Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said Wednesday that she will not let new rounds of base closures pass her subcommittee this year, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the Pentagon’s plans for the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) in its 2013 budget. ‘There is one area where there is absolutely no room for compromise this year, and that is BRAC,’ McCaskill said Wednesday at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Readiness and Management Support subcommittee, which she chairs.”

For the full article please click here.

Returning National Guard, Military Vets Are Top Job Seekers – Need Employers

Mfrtch.com – March 20, 2012

“The National Guard, Center for America (CFA), Corporate America Supports You (CASY) and Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN) have launched a new national campaign to encourage companies to post open skilled jobs on the National Guard national job bank for its 60,000+ currently unemployed members.”

For the full article please click here.

National Guard in Action

9) Guard aiding in states hit by tornadoes

By: Judy Keen, Jessie Halladay, and Doyle Rice – USA Today: March 4, 2012

“As snowflakes fell on the ruined homes and businesses Sunday morning, many residents gathered in the parking lot of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Few people have power, so they hunched around propane fueled heaters drinking hot coffee and eggs scrambled on an outdoor grill. The tornadoes that ripped across much of the Midwest and South on Friday, killing 36 people in five states, laid this small town to waste. But the talk in the parking lot focused on the future. And on rebuilding…Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, adjutant general of the Indiana Army National Guard, said about 250 soldiers have been activated to help with tornado relief in Southern Indiana.”

For the full article please click here.

10) SC National Guard Deploys to Afghanistan

By: Steven Dial – WLTX: March 18, 2012

“Sunday, family members said goodbye to their men and women in the South Carolina National Guard as the soldiers left for a 12 month deployment in Afghanistan.”

For the full article please click here.

11) Alaska Air Guard rescues backcountry skier

Associated Press: March 18, 2012

“A New York man suffered a broken ankle after being swept up in an avalanche while backcountry skiing south of Anchorage, and was flown to a hospital by an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter.”

For the full article please click here.

Please forward this Action Alert to your family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else interested and ask that they follow the link to write their Congressman!

“I Stand with MSgt Jessey Baca in Support of S 1798 – The Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011″ 

Take Action Now!

All Jessey Baca has done for the last 34 years of his life is serve his country. Now he and his fellow service men and women need your help.

Since 9/11 Jessey deployed twice to Iraq with the New Mexico Air National Guard. Upon returning in 2007 his health has deteriorated, and doctors at Vanderbilt University have traced his illnesses to inhallation of the toxic fumes and smoke generated by the practice of burning waste and refuse at US bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eventhough doctors have found the link between burn-pit exposure and Jessey’s illnesses (some terminal), the Veterans Affairs (VA) Administration has yet to cover the cost of his care.

S 1798, introduced by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an open burn pit registry to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes caused by these pits while deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq receive information regarding such exposure, establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for those eligible individuals, would require the development of a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the open burn pit registry (including how to register and the benefits of registering), and would require reports by independent scientific organizations on the effectiveness of the registry and the exposure related treatment programs.

Let’s support Jessey and all others who may be suffering from illness due to exposure to these toxic burn pits. Ask your Senator to co-sponsor/support Senate Bill 1798.

- To take action now click here

- Find out more about Jessey Baca’s story here

Thank You!
Ben Banchs
Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer
LIUNA National Guard District Council
P.O. Box 1794, Abita Springs, LA 70420
Email: benbanchs@liuna.ngdc.org  OfcTel: (985) 249-2315  FaxTel: (888) 506-6082   Web: www.liuna-ngdc.org

10 March: EANGUS President Roger Hagan and Executive Director Al Garver attended the NGAUS quarterly meetings at the National Guard Memorial Building. Briefings to the group on the current state of the Guard were given by: Gen Craig McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Lt Gen Harry “Bud” Wyatt, Director of the Air National Guard; and Brig Gen Scott Gorske, Director of the NGB Office of Legislative Liaison.

12 March: EANGUS President Roger Hagan and Executive Director Al Garver met with personally with General McKinley, Lt Gen Wyatt, CMSgt Denise Jelinski-Hall, CCMSgt Chris Muncy, and other key NGB staff from 1130-1200 at the Pentagon.

13 March: Roger Hagan, Al Garver, and Seth Waugh met with a key staffer in the office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Co-Chair of the Senate National Guard Caucus.

14 March: Al Garver and Seth Waugh monitored the Senate Armed Services Committee – Defense (SASC-D) meeting, with testimony from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz.

12-15 March: Seth Waugh, Director of Government Relations for EANGUS, has been actively engaged in meetings with key staffers in all four caucus co-chairs in the House and Senate, as well as additional congressional offices.

“Without going into the many details of these briefings and meetings,” said EANGUS President Roger Hagan, “I can assure our members that EANGUS is fully engaged, and fully involved in this process. This is exactly why we have a national office staff, and they are incredibly busy right now.”

Since 1999, defense officials have tied the annual military pay raise to the Employment Cost Index, the Department of Labor’s calculation in the rise in private sector wages. Military raises for 2013 and 2014 would be tied to the ECI but separated from the index in 2015, dropping to a flat 0.5 percent rate. That would be the lowest annual pay increase troops have seen since the start of the all-volunteer military in 1973.

In 2016, the rate would rise to 1 percent, not linked to the ECI. In 2017, it’d be 1.5 percent, regardless of private-sector rates.

For a mid-career enlisted servicemember, for example, the raise would be more than $1,000 a year less under the new formula. For most officers with 10 years’ experience, it’s $2,000 less a year.

Pentagon officials said last week that the plans are only tentative. The pay raises will not be official until Congress approves them each year.

But they said they’re making the plans public now to “give time for military personnel to accommodate these changes.” And unless the Defense Department sees dramatic changes in its budget realities, the lower pay raises will be needed to help rein in personnel costs and reach almost $500 billion in savings over the next decade.

Pentagon comptroller Robert Hale said officials aren’t considering any pay reductions or freezes, only limits on the annual raises. But for troops who have seen only modest pay hikes in recent years, the moves will mean almost stagnant wages as the cost of living continues to rise.

For the last decade, troops have seen pay hikes above the ECI, as lawmakers worked to close the gap between troops’ basic pay and civilian salaries. Next year’s proposed 1.7 percent military pay jump matches the national compensation rates, leaving troop pay raises on par with those of their civilian peers.

The ECI projection for 2014 is 2 percent. The raises would hit 3.3 percent in 2015 and 3.5 percent for the four years after that, if Congressional Budget Office predictions hold true.

Using the unlinked military raises for 2015 through 2017 could create a gap worth thousands of dollars between troops and their civilian peers.

In unveiling the numbers to reporters last week, Hale quipped that “the out years never come” in budget planning. He said he hopes to find ways to protect troops’ future paychecks.

“If it turns out that we don’t believe we can attract and retain the people we need with those lower raises, we’ll find a way to not do them in the out years,” he said. “At the moment, we think we can, and therefore it’s a reasonable proposal.”

Todd Harrison, senior fellow for defense studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, said the big concern for troops shouldn’t be the specific numbers Hale cited, but the reality that there are few ways officials can bring down personnel costs.

“If not pay, then maybe they have to start looking at the number of troops they have instead, or at other benefits,” he said. “And there are limits to how much they want to do to those other things.”

The fiscal 2013 pay raise of 1.7 percent adds $1.1 billion to the defense budget’s personnel bottom line and creates recurring costs in the future. Hale estimated that the reduced pay raise plan would save $16.5 billion over five years.

Steve Strobridge, director of government relations for Military Officers Association of America, said he is frustrated that the Pentagon would even consider decoupling the raises from private sector figures.

“Granted, right now it’s years out in the future, but any time they talk about lower pay raises, it’s a huge red flag,” he said.

“Pay comparability is the underpinning of the all-volunteer force. Just because retention is fine now, that’s not an excuse. We’ve seen the big pay gaps before. That’s why we had to have all the plus-ups over the last decade.”

All of this is good news for LANGEA, however, the new system will not be ready for prime time until the end of March, 2012.  We are hoping to see a sneak peek in the next two weeks and I will have more to report later.  If you have been sending in your membership using the paper form and a check, these are being collected and once the new membership system is in place, your memberships will be added to the list.  Our hope is that a complete roll-up membership list for the Louisiana National Guard will be available on the website well before the LANGEA Annual Conference in April.

Until the EANGUS site is up and running, we have created a PayPal option to take membership payments, and encourage you to use this system rather than the paper form where you manually send in a check, etc.

Please join me in congratulating our 2012 Airman of the Year winners:

AIRMAN OF THE YEAR – STAFF SERGEANT ERIK M. BRUMFIELD

122^nd Air Support Operations Squadron

 Staff Sergeant Erik M. Brumfield distinguished himself by Outstanding Achievement as Tactical Air Control Party Journeyman, 122^nd Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Beauregard, Pineville, Louisiana, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.  During this period Sergeant Brumfield deployed to Basrah, Iraq and Najil, Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.  Sergeant Brumfield provided close air support and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance for the 36^th Infantry Division preventing countless enemy attacks and significantly contributing to safety and mission success for numerous state department personnel, Coalition Police, Iraqi Police, and Iraqi Military personnel.  While in Najil, Afghanistan, Sergeant Brumfield was assigned to Alpha Company, 1^st Battalion, 179^th Regiment where he conducted ten outside the wire missions and expediently conducted a Close Air Support Strike with two Joint Direct Attack Munitions against hostile forces thwarting an attack on coalition forces.  His professionalism and combat skill under stressful conditions truly represents the Air Force Core Value “Excellence in all we do.”  The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Brumfield reflect credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the State of Louisiana.

 NCO OF THE YEAR – TECHNICAL SERGEANT ROSALIE A. HUFF

159^th Civil Engineering Squadron

Staff Sergeant Rosalie A. Huff distinguished herself by Outstanding Achievement as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Emergency Management, 159^th Civil Engineering Squadron, Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.  During this period the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Huff led to the effectiveness and success of the 159^th Fighter Wing during the recent higher headquarters Unit Compliance Inspection.  She was instrumental in resurrecting critical emergency management and response programs working tirelessly to prepare her squadron for state and local emergency operations and hazard response.  Sergeant Huff conducted numerous staff assistant visits, identified over seventy two critical areas for improvement, and developed action plans to correct these critical items, bringing 159^th Fighter Wing emergency response programs into compliance with Air Force Regulations.  Sergeant Huff is recognized in the Air National Guard community as an Emergency Management subject matter expert.  Her professionalism, determination, and attention to detail are truly representative of the Air Force Core Value “Excellence in all we do.”  The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Huff reflect credit upon herself, the Air National Guard, and the State of Louisiana.

SNCO OF THE YEAR – SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT ALLAN C. FLOYD

122^nd Air Support Operations Squadron

Senior Master Sergeant Allan C. Floyd distinguished himself by Outstanding Achievement as a Tactical Air Control Party Craftsman, 122^nd Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Beauregard, Pineville, Louisiana, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.  During this period Sergeant Floyd deployed in support of Operation New Dawn with the 36^th Infantry Division and as NCOIC of Detachment 1, 369^th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron at Contingency Operating Base Basra.  Sergeant Floyd was charged with Electronic Warfare and Close Air Support integration into base and convoy security in Iraq’s largest area of operation.  He effectively managed eighteen Tactical Air Control Party Airmen in nine provinces covered by United States Division-South and conducted battlefield circulation to five contingency operating bases to ensure execution of proper rules of engagement.  In addition, Sergeant Floyd was one of four 36 Infantry Division Joint Terminal Air Control Airmen controlling five close air support and electronic warfare missions to provide nine hours of enhanced protection for 1-12 Cavalry soldiers.  Sergeant Floyd executed every assigned mission flawlessly and with attention to detail.  His professionalism and dedication to the mission are truly representative of the Air Force Core Value “Excellence in all we do.”  The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Floyd reflect credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the State of Louisiana.

FIRST SERGEANT OF THE YEAR – MASTER SERGEANT MICHAEL A. DUPRE

159^th Maintenance Squadron

Master Sergeant Michael A. Dupre distinguished himself by Outstanding Achievement as First Sergeant, 159^th Maintenance Squadron, Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.  During this period the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Dupre led to the effectiveness and success of the health and moral welfare of 159^th Maintenance Squadron Airmen.  Sergeant Dupre was available around the clock to ensure proper attention and care for his Airmen during times of personal hardship and family challenges.  Additionally, he provided sound guidance to instill professional discipline supporting his commander’s objectives of mission first, people always.  During the 159^th Fighter Wing’s Unit Compliance Inspection, Sergeant Dupre was recognized by the United States Air Force Inspector General as a Superior Performer in his position as First Sergeant.  His professionalism and personal sacrifice for the benefit of every Airman under his charge is truly inspiring and represents the Air Force Core Value “Service before Self.”   The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Dupre reflect credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the State of Louisiana.