Yesterday, members of the Ohio Congressional delegation urged Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to establish the Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) as well as U.S. Representatives Mike Turner (OH-10), Jim Renacci (OH-16), Jim Jordan (OH-4), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Marcia Fudge (OH-11), Bill Johnson (OH-6), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Brad Wenstrup (OH-2), Steve Stivers (OH-15), Pat Tiberi (OH-12), Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), and Bob Gibbs (OH-7).
“After careful examination of the Air Force’s approved AFIMSC basing criteria, it is clear that WPAFB meets, if not exceeds, all criteria currently being evaluated by the Air Force,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary James. “While we can certainly make a strong case for each of the criteria, the delegation agrees that collocating AFIMSC with Air Force Material Command (AFMC) headquarters is a logical choice. Collocating the new center with AFMC would aid in the immediate realignment of resources, authorities, and responsibilities, while reducing costs and inefficiencies.”
“Under the diligent direction of General Janet Wolfenbarger, the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) and its world-class work force continue to research and develop the innovative technology that has allowed our Air Force to maintain and strengthen its dominance in the air.
Headquartering the Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) with the AFMC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base just makes sense.
Wright-Patt overwhelmingly meets the Air Force’s criteria and the instant unification of equipment, technology and authorities will ensure a cost-effective and responsible transition that is unrivaled by any other finalist,” said Congressman Mike Turner.
Full text of the letter can be found below and here.
Dear Secretary James,
We write to express our support for the establishment of the Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). Based on the criteria included in the Air Force’s Strategic Basing Process, we are confident that WPAFB is the ideal location to host the AFIMSC.
After careful examination of the Air Force’s approved AFIMSC basing criteria, it is clear that WPAFB meets, if not exceeds, all criteria currently being evaluated by the Air Force. While we can certainly make a strong case for each of the criteria, the delegation agrees that collocating AFIMSC with Air Force Material Command (AFMC) headquarters is a logical choice. Collocating the new center with AFMC would aid in the immediate realignment of resources, authorities, and responsibilities, while reducing costs and inefficiencies.
WPAFB and the surrounding area is an ideal location to house the men and women that will eventually make up AFIMSC. As you know, this summer the Air Force Times recently ranked WPAFB as the top Air Force base in the country for airmen to live. According to the report, “Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio enjoys low housing costs, a large commissary, a huge 300-bed medical center, and a large exchange.” The report goes on to state that “an above-average crime score of 7 out of 10, and decent commute times… combined to help land Wright-Pat at the top of the list.”
Furthermore, we believe the costs associated with the initial stand up of AFIMSC at WPAFB would be low compared to other potential candidate bases. Already available infrastructure along with competitive construction costs across the state would allow the Air Force to quickly make ready the facilities needed to operate AFIMSC.
Thank you again for your consideration of Wright Patterson Air Force Base as the future home of the Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center. As you move forward with your strategic basing process, we stand ready to work with you and provide any additional details that may aid in the selection process.