KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- As the installation commander of Kirtland Air Force Base, I am proud to reflect on the significant accomplishments we have made to national security and the local economy this past year. With an annual economic impact of $7.5 billion and a community of over 70,000 people, including civilians, active-duty personnel, dependents, retirees, and veterans, Kirtland Air Force Base is a vital part of the New Mexico landscape. The national security contributions of our base are beyond numerous. We have 108 units representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, the FBI, and more in fields as diverse as special operations training, research and development, operational test, ICBM testing, munitions maintenance, and nuclear training.
Recently, the 377th Air Base Wing made history by conducting the first dual test launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 48 hours by our Test and Evaluation Group in California. This feat demonstrated our capabilities and showcases the critical role Kirtland plays in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.
Additionally, the 705th Combat Training Squadron brought together 23 international partners and allies to train on theater-level coalition operations in the Pacific in Virtual Flag 24. This international cooperation is essential in today's complex global environment, and Kirtland is proud to be a hub for such collaboration.
We also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Joint Navigation Warfare Center, which is responsible for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the Global Positioning System, or GPS. This vital mission is a testament to the innovative and expert work performed at Kirtland.
Furthermore, the 58th Special Operations Wing gained a new aircraft platform with the AC-130 gunship and the Air National Guard’s 150th Special Operations Wing took ownership of its first aircraft in 15 years, which illustrates the trust the Air Force places in Kirtland. In addition, our base has been honored to host numerous visits from partners and allies, as well as high-level Pentagon leaders, including the Strategic Command Commander, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, which demonstrates the importance of Kirtland to the national security community.
As an illustration to our commitment to this community, we built one of the largest civic leader programs in the Air Force, with 54 leaders across healthcare, law enforcement, corporate, and non-profit organizations partnered with more than two-thirds of our commanders on base. This program is designed to help foster understanding and collaboration between the U.S. Air Force and the local community. We are very proud of this robust program and all our accomplishments for national security.
These supportive community leaders coupled with our dedicated Kirtland Partnership Committee, have helped to change state laws and policies to support our military families. This year, changes in childcare certification, military status designation, and higher education benefits have improved access to childcare and created positive opportunities for military families moving into the state.
We collaborate closely with the Albuquerque Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office on crime issues and have leveraged mutual-aid agreements with Albuquerque Fire Rescue and Bernalillo County to respond to fires and other emergencies. We partner with local hospitals to improve healthcare access and quality. We also work with the school systems to address the unique needs of our military children. We rely on the support of city and state leaders to help us address these issues and create an even more favorable environment for our airmen and their families.
As we look to the future, Kirtland Air Force Base will continue to play a vital role in national security and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. This summer, we are looking forward to hosting the Kirtland Air Fiesta. This airshow and open house is the first in six years and welcomes the community onto the base. Additionally, we look forward to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center becoming the Air Force Nuclear Systems Center, and the organization will be commanded by a lieutenant general for the first time in Kirtland’s history. We also anticipate increasing Space Force’s footprint on base, and through the Air Force Research Lab, we’ll continue efforts to recruit the best engineers, mathematicians and scientists. As we do, I urge our community leaders to recognize the challenges we face and work with us to find solutions. By doing so, we can ensure that Kirtland remains a desirable place to live and work, and that our servicemembers and their families receive the support and resources they deserve. Together, we can build a brighter future for our base, our community, and our nation.