AZ commander’s summit brings leaders together

  • Published
  • By Teresa Walker
  • 56th Range Management Office
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Col. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander, hosted his first Arizona Commander's Summit as chairman at the Desert Star Club Sept. 3. 

Originally established by the 56th FW to address issues such as joint utilization and stewardship requirements of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, commanders quickly realized the benefit of such a forum and expanded the scope of the ACS. 

The summit now includes air and ground encroachment, environmental planning and compliance, community relations, Native American issues, special-use airspace utilization, and range enhancement programs, according to Kevin O'Berry, ACS coordinator. 

"More and more military installations throughout the state are interconnected through common sustainment issues and joint mission requirements," Mr. O'Berry said. "This forum really helps the leadership stay in tune with these issues and posture in advance to mitigate potential impacts to their test and training operations." 

The focus of the semi-annual summits incorporates issues all the Arizona installations and units have in common. The agenda for this summit started with a 56th FW mission brief by Colonel Neubauer and included updates on unmanned aerial systems, renewable energy challenges for the Defense Department, and legislative session and office of the governor updates. 

Through the exchange of information at the summit, members share approaches to solving problems, which in turn standardizes resolutions. Equally important is that sharing of information assists commanders to "speak with one voice" when communicating with state and local jurisdictions. Interaction between installation commanders influences joint use of valuable air and ground training assets and airspace. 

"The Arizona Commander's Summit is highly successful because it is enthusiastically supported by all Arizona military installations," said Colonel Neubauer. "The commander's summit has made a tremendous difference to all of us, and we are grateful to the federal, state and community organizations who work shoulder-to-shoulder with the armed forces to ensure that Arizona continues to provide the most realistic, challenging, and tactically sound training and test environment anywhere."
The impact of the ACS has been far-reaching. In 2005, the commanders of Luke and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, briefed Secretary of Homeland Defense Michael Chertoff in an effective, unified approach on the impact of illegal aliens trespassing on Defense Department land. 

Arizona commanders recently worked with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and signed a pollution prevention partnership agreement designed to promote mission readiness through effective prevention programs such as defueling and recycling. 

"Given our success in Arizona, I expect similar organizations to sprout up in other states and regions," Colonel Neubauer said. "The opportunity for installation commanders to meet face-to-face regularly is a terrific way to develop a better understanding of joint military operations, the common challenges we face and kinship with our sister services."