KPC wants to keep Kirtland AFB a recognized resource and part of America's defense structure.

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The Four Mission areas at Kirtland AFB

CRITICAL ASSETS

With a nuclear research maintenance tradition continuing to this day, Kirtland is the single manager for development, engineering technical support, maintenance and storage of critical assets. Starting with the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories (operated for the DOE by Lockheed Martin Corp.) and continuing with the field office of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Nuclear Weapons Product Support Center and the 377th Air Base Wing's Munitions Squadrons, Kirtland AFB is the critical asset center of the Department of Defense, as well as a Department of Energy Nuclear Center.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND TEST AND EVALUATION

Kirtland AFB is a nationally recognized technology resource. The Air Force Research Laboratory has its two most important directorates here for future cutting edge technology development. One is involved in directed energy (lasers and microwaves) and the other with space vehicles. The Airborne Laser Program here is responsible for the second largest spending program in the Air Force. The Space and Missile Test & Evaluation unit is working on state-of-the-art satellite testing. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is headquartered here. Several Joint Test Programs are active.

READINESS AND TRAINING

There are two large flying outfits here; the New Mexico Air National Guard and the 58th Special Operations Wing. These units enjoy outstanding flying weather and the availability of low-level routes, ranges and special operating areas. The Theater Air Command and Control Simulation Facility is the Department of Defense's most capable virtual air warfare simulation facility, developed over a 15-year period by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Air Force. It is a lead unit in modeling and simulation, the training of the future. In addition, more than 2,000 military positions at Kirtland are identified for worldwide mobility operations.

BASE OPERATING SUPPORT

Keeping this city within a city operating is also a primary mission at Kirtland AFB. That mission is accomplished by the 377th Air Base Wing, the host unit at Kirtland AFB.