Commentary: 58th Special Operations Wing engagement with Pueblos renews cooperation

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Surreal. That's the only word I could use to describe the experience of returning to Kirtland AFB this week after being gone for the better part of the last 16 years. Now assigned to the 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office as a civilian, it was hard not to feel like an Airman again as I attended a meeting at the 58th Special Operations Wing Nov. 18.

The experience was intensely familiar, as I served as the 58th's public affairs lead from 1994-1998. Many things were much the same as they were in the mid 1990s, including the focus of the meeting: relations with New Mexico's Pueblos, and how to reinvigorate the cooperation that Kirtland, the 58th and many of our pueblos have enjoyed for decades.

Back in the mid-1990s, I worked with my commanders to realize their vision of engagement with the Pueblos. For the wing, then and now, the Pueblos are more than just a community relations effort. The wing's special operations and personnel recovery training mission is often conducted in airspace over the Pueblos, and being a good neighbor takes a deliberate, continuous effort. 58th Commander Col. Dagvin Anderson, like my commanders back in the day, understands that no matter how good the relationship has been between past tribal governments and former commanders, turnover on both sides means we cannot rest on our laurels. In this vein, he attended the All Pueblo Council of Governors meeting at Isleta Pueblo Nov. 19.

Anderson, who took command of the 58th in July, wanted to meet the governors and their representatives to offer his assistance in resolving over-flight issues and to address any questions or concerns the pueblos might have on the subject. We have learned that a give and take relationship is necessary to conduct operations while at the same time respecting the culture, peace and solemnity that is integral to the way of life for many people in the Native Pueblos. We understand just how disturbing a low-level flight could be in the context of a sacred ceremony or peaceful gathering.

The 58th commander heard the same types of concerns at the governor's meeting. Having grown up in a rural setting himself, Anderson was able to empathize with the governors, and took several of their concerns for research and action. While the training areas in New Mexico's skies have been designed and partitioned to ensure safety of operations and deconfliction with other airspace, organizations like the 58th have the flexibility to identify conflicts with activities on the ground and make adjustments.

Just as it was back when the Dukes still played in the old Sports Stadium, and Flying Star was Double Rainbow, the airspace above New Mexico is shared among many users. The 58th and other military and civilian organizations that fly over Native lands are not able to accommodate every request. Still, much can be done on a case-by-case basis to curtail flying activities during certain times, and to work to alleviate direct conflicts or acute disturbances entirely. Anderson renewed that effort Wednesday. The Governors and members of tribal administrations now know they have someone to call to resolve over-flight issues, and cooperation has been renewed.