PDF Dayton Region Position on the Importance of WPAFB
As part of the Dayton Development Coalition’s efforts, we are sending this memo to convey our point-of-view of the Community’s posture relating to recent events and our long standing partnership with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Significant national, state and local factors have resulted in an increasing level of uncertainty for our Region, in particular for the Air Force and future of Wright-Patt. These factors include, but are not limited to the following:
- Federal level budgetary challenges
- Air Force Materiel Command Re-Org (HQ located at Wright-Patt) and its impact on our Community
- Redistricting of our representation in DC
We have experienced tremendous growth and opportunity thanks to the collaboration between our Region; the Air Force and Wright-Patt. Our community has earned national‐recognition because of the successful nature of this collaboration. In recent history, we achieved success with the 2005 BRAC because our entire community worked together to advocate for Wright-Patt and turned a potential threat into an opportunity. This approach resulted in over $350 million of new construction and over 1,100 new jobs at the base and thousands more outside the fence.
The Federal government’s budget crisis will be felt across all agencies and departments, including the Department of Defense. The military services have been directed to identify $400 billion in cuts over 10 years, with additional cuts planned since the ‘Super Committee’ was unable to accomplish its mission. Our community should prepare for the likelihood that Wright-Patt will be targeted for significant changes which could include budget reductions, loss of senior officer billets, or even force reductions.
Wright-Patt is the largest single site employer in our State and is a nationally-known center of technology and innovation, centered right here in the Dayton Region. Air Force values and culture are rooted here, beginning with the invention of flight through the multitude of aviation and other world‐changing advancements developed at Wright-Patt. We must aggressively advocate for the important missions at Wright-Patt; showcase its strengths; work with them to find ways to be more efficient and effective and most importantly, continue to support the Airmen and their families currently serving and living in our community.
The Dayton Region has dealt with challenges at Wright-Patt since the beginning of the Air Force and we have responded in a manner true to our values, character and culture. Our unique history makes our Region, Wright-Patt and the US Air Force inextricably tied together. The manner in which we respond to these recent challenges may determine the extent of these ties in the future. We will be successful as we have in the past, if we work constructively with the Air Force as a partner, to identify innovative solutions–TOGETHER. Most importantly, we must continue to speak with one voice as a community. After all, this approach has served us well in the past and is part of the very nature of our community.
Respectfully,
