440 AW Personnel, Family and Friends, Last week, Chief Hart, SSgt Melissa Deardorff (36 AES) and I made a Capitol Hill Visit. While there, we met with Senator Richard Burr, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, Congressman David Price and staff members from Senator Kay Hagans and Congressman Mike McIntyres offices. Many have asked if they had any new information on the proposed inactivation of the 440th. The short answer is No. Nothing has changed over the last three months and all transition actions remain on hold pending a Congressional decision on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2015. As I briefed during my July Commanders Call, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has proposed language which would direct the Air Force to submit a report to Congress before implementing any transfers of C-130H or C-130J aircraft. That report would include a recommended basing alignment of the C-130H2, C-130H3, and C-130J aircraft. The proposed NDAA language goes on to outline the requirements of the report which includes an assessment of national security benefits, an assessment of costs and an analysis of recommended basing alignment that demonstrates that the recommendation is the most effective and efficient alternative for such basing alignment. The proposed language goes on to say that the report will be reviewed by the Comptroller General prior to Congress and that the Congress will have sufficient time to review the Air Force report and the findings of the Comptroller Generals review before the Air Force acts. All of the members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation with whom we met told us that they believe this proposed language will be included in the final NDAA. They also told us that they do not expect a final NDAA until sometime after the November election. If the SASC language is included in the final NDAA, I do not know how long it will take the Air Force to submit the report and I do not know how long it will take Congress to review the report and Comptroller Generals review. What this means for the 440th is that we are maintaining the status quo and all transition actions remain on hold. Our UMD has been extended through 31 Mar 2015 and AFRC is funding us for both Reserve Personnel Appropriations (RPA) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Appropriations through 31 Mar 2015. We have seen a fair amount of attrition with both fulltime and traditional reserve personnel, but we still have sufficient personnel to support flying operations and take care of our Airmen. We will continue to advertise and fill all vacant positions including ART and civilian positions. I have delegated to group commanders the authority on whether to hire civilians as temporary, term or permanent. That decision will be based on many factors and will be made on a case by case basis. We will also continue to work with AFRC to secure additional RPA funding to utilize TRs to backfill for vacant ART positions until those positions are filled. Finally, we know there has been no change to the Air Force proposal to inactivate the 440th, but that proposal remains on hold pending Congressional review and approval. As a result, AFRC has not opened the Clearing House or the Priority Placement Program and all civilian Reduction in Force plans remain on hold. With all of that in mind, my advice and guidance to you remains the same; if you find your dream job elsewhere in the Air Force Reserve, by all means, take it. However, if the 440 AW is where you want to be, we still have a mission and you still have a home. Bottom line, we continue to fix, fly and support C-130Hs. Over 30 of our Security Forces personnel are getting ready to deploy. We are hosting a Career & Diversity and Employer Appreciation Day in November and we are preparing for the Unit Effectiveness Inspection in February. Your dedication, professionalism and hard work have never been more critical. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all that you do and how proud I am to be a member of the 440th. With great respect, Brig Gen Scanlan
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:21:35 +0000
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