All Pueblo Council visits Kirtland

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Elected officials from pueblos across New Mexico visited Kirtland May 14 for their monthly All Pueblo Council of Governors meeting. Commanders from installations across the state with flying missions, including the New Mexico Air National Guard, were on hand to discuss overflight issues and foster greater cooperation with the elected leaders of the various sovereign tribal governments. Several of the governors were also military veterans.

The day-long visit included council business, mission briefings from commanders of flying units, breakout sessions for direct dialogue between governors and commanders and a tour of the 58th Special Operations Wing.

The 58th tour included visits to the simulator complex, where governors had the opportunity to fly over their pueblos, the 58th Training Squadron's Monster Garage and the aircraft static displays. Col. Dagvin Anderson, 58th SOW commander, said the visit facilitated a very productive dialogue, strengthening partnerships with the tribal leaders.

"It was an honor to host the council," Anderson said. "It afforded us an opportunity to discuss specific issues related to where we train and to look at how we can further cooperate with the communities that are impacted by our flying training mission."

The visit was the latest in a series of outreach efforts, led by the 58th, concerned with community partnership and the importance of the training environment in New Mexico, conducted by the Air Force in recent months. Anderson visited the November council meeting at the Isleta Pueblo and his wing hosted a media flying day in February.

Representatives from the 377th Air Base Wing, 150th Special Operations Wing (New Mexico Air National Guard), Holloman and Canon Air Force Bases, the White Sands Missile Range were at also at the meeting, as was the NMNG adjutant general.

Governor E. Paul Torres of Isleta, the council chairman, said he was pleased to see communication improving.

"This is the first meeting we've had that was focused on addressing these issues, regarding flyovers," Torres said. "We do not want low flying aircraft flying (directly) over the pueblos. It disturbs our communities. I am glad now to see that communication is getting better and we know who to contact when we have these issues."

While cooperation is necessary to ensure the pueblo cultures and ways of life are respected, Torres said the governors appreciate the training done by the Air Force and its impact on national defense.

"These operations are important to every one of us as U.S. citizens," he said.