ROA Department of Minnesota Congressional Breakfast LtCol Doug Kveene, President LTC Karl Rasmussen, Director, Legislative Affairs

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast OVERVIEW Reserve Presence in Minnesota Spotlight: 934 th Airlift Wing, USAF Reserve Legislative Priorities –Reserve Compensation Review –Military Construction –Tax Relief for Reservists

Reserve Presence In Minnesota

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Minnesota Reservists Branch:Drilling Reservists: Army5,500 Air Force1,300 Navy930 Marine Corps250 Coast Guard25 Total*:8,005 * Does not include roughly 12,600 MN Army and Air National Guard personnel

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Minnesota Reservists Over 8,000 Reservists reside in Minnesota Reservists in all congressional districts All services have members activated

Spotlight: 934 th Airlift Wing US Air Force Reserve Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Air Reserve Station

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast The Wing Mission: –Provide theater air transport to combat commanders anywhere in the world Aircraft: –C-130H2 Cargo: –Personnel –Equipment –Paratroopers

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Current Operations Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) Operation Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense) Coronet Oak (Caribbean) Joint Forge (Kosovo)

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast The Base Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Air Reserve Station Winner of Air Force Reserve Command’s 2003 Installation Excellence Award –Finest Base in the Air Force Reserve

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Base Highlights 934 AW hosts the largest joint-use military facility in Minnesota Perimeter now includes: –Navy / Marine Corps Reserve Center (USN/USMC) –88 th RRC (Army) –133 rd AW (Air National Guard)

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Base Highlights 934 AW provides numerous joint-use facilities, including: –The North Country Inn –Physical Fitness Center –Family Support Center –Base Exchange

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Base Highlights 934 AW provides numerous joint-use facilities, including: –Officers’ Club –Enlisted Club –Military Clothing Sales Store –Small Arms Firing Range

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast 934 AW Employment Impact DistrictReservistsFull-time Personnel Indirect Jobs Created Outside of MN Total Source: 934 AW/FM 2003 Economic Impact Analysis

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast 934 AW Economic Impact SourceDollar amount Salaries$ 40,735,000 Construction, Services, Supplies, Equipment, Travel $ 24,617,000 Indirect$ 25,385,000 Annual Economic Impact$ 90,737,000 Source: 934 AW/FM 2003 Economic Impact Analysis

Legislative Priorities

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Legislative Priorities Reserve Compensation Review Military Construction Tax Relief for Reservists

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Compensation Review Pay Inequity –Example: Special Duty Pay Benefit Inequity –Example: TriCare Coverage Retirement Inequity –Age 60 versus immediate

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Military Construction Joint-use requirements at Mpls-St. Paul ARS: –Upgrade security facilities to meet post-9/11 terrorist threats –Upgrade passenger and cargo processing facility to meet increased activation and deployment requirements –Upgrade Physical Fitness Center

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast Tax Relief for Reservists Restore tax deductibility of non-reimbursed expenses –Uniforms, hotel, mileage expenses Provide tax credits for employers of reservists –Offset costs related to employee activation

What we need

28 January 2004Dept of Minnesota ROA Congressional Breakfast What we need 1.Support a thorough review of Reserve compensation and retirement benefits 2.Support joint-use military construction projects at Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP ARS 3.Support a plan for tax relief for reservists and their employers

Thank you! Reserve Officers Association Department of Minnesota, ROA P. O. Box St. Paul, MN