| Kirtland
Air Force Base in Albuquerque, larger in area than Washington,
DC, has enjoyed overwhelming community support
since it was established in 1939. The Base has been home
to
the most critical weapon development efforts in the nation's
history. Yet the bonds of friendship, personal involvement
and economic interdependence with the community are unusually
strong. The annual economic impact of Kirtland AFB in New
Mexico is now over $6 Billion and is actually closer to $8
Billion
if you include the multiplier effect as the dollars circulate.
The economic impact of Kirtland is felt throughout the state.
There is not a city in New Mexico without some company that
directly or indirectly provides goods and services to Kirtland.
What
goes on "Behind the Gates" at Kirtland AFB?
There are four major mission areas: Critical Assets, Research
and Development along with Test and Evaluation, Readiness
and Training, and Base Operating Support.
Critical
Assets: A nuclear research maintenance tradition continues
today
with the Department of Energy, Sandia Laboratories
(Operated
for the Department of Energy by Lockheed Martin Corporation),
the field office of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency,
Nuclear Weapons Produce Center and the host wing's
munitions squadrons making Kirtland the critical asset
center of the
Department of Defense. Research
and Development, Test and Evaluation: Kirtland AFB is a nationally recognized technology
center. The Air Force
Research Laboratory has its two most important directorates
here, one involved in Directed Energy (lasers and microwaves)
and the other with Space Vehicles. The Airborne Laser Program
at the base is currently the second largest acquisition
program in the Air Force. Detachment 12 of the Space and
Missile
Systems Center 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 tow large flying organizations
at Kirtland AFB; the New Mexico Air National Guard with
its f-16 fighters and the 58th Special Operations Wing
which
trains all the Air Force Special Operations aircrews.
These units
enjoy outstanding flying weather and ready availability
of ranges, special routes and operating areas. The Theater
Air
Command and Control Simulation Facility is a showplace
of virtual air warfare simulation. To be able to fly
and fight
from a
state-of-the-art simulator with others participating
from different locations and even involving real aircraft
in
the air makes
this a lead unit in modeling and simulation, which is
the training of the future.
Base
Operating Support: Keeping
this city within a city operating is the mission of the
377th Air Base Wing,
the host unit
at Kirtland AFB. The based comes under the Air Force
Materiel Command headquartered at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base
in
Ohio.
The Sum
of the Parts is Greater... What makes Kirtland
AFB a national treasure? Many, many things. Homeland Defense
programs
startling in their uniqueness... Laser research that will
enable enemy missiles to be shot down over the originating
location... Sophisticated simulators that save money, time
and lives... Testing of aircraft and equipment to make sure
the Air Force gets its money's worth... Working on
smaller, lighter, cheaper spacecraft... The largest telescopes
in the Department of Defense... Safety research and education... Synergy.
Partnerships. Commitment. Centers of Excellence.
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