2024 State of the Base shows Robins Air Force Base’s economic impact

WARNER ROBINS — Robins Air Force Base is a significant driver of economic development for the region, and the business community had the chance to hear perspectives straight from the source at the State of the Base event April 11.

In a rotating panel discussion moderated by Robins Regional President/CEO April Bragg, several base leaders shared their views on economic development, enhancing quality of life and various missions at Robins.

First up was Installation & 78th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Deedrick Reese, who updated the audience on the base’s overall economic impact.

He said overall, the base contributes $3.8 billion to the state, a 7.5% increase from last year.

$1.1 billion was purchasing goods and services, while installation payroll was $2.7 billion.

Reese said payroll would grow as more personnel are brought onto base for upcoming missions. Current vacancies account for $76 million more on the table.

“Right now we’re back in the growth period of personnel actually showing up to execute those missions. So there’s more people coming; there’s going to be need for more goods and services. So that’s going to increase,” he said.

Reese said the base has a plan for recruiting for those vacancies. The base is hosting a hiring event April 30 to fill the 800 civilian job vacancies on the installation. Some of the fields represented include IT, telecommunications, and human resources.

“You don’t have to wear a uniform to work on Robins Air Force Base. You don’t have to wear a uniform to defend our country and to serve,” he said.

Reese moved on to discussing economic impact from families. He highlighted Georgia House Bill 880, a bill primarily headed by Rep. Bethany Ballard, which reached the Governor’s desk this year. The bill streamlines occupational licensing for military spouses moving to the state.

Looking toward the future, Reese said the base will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 17 years.

What does 2041 look like? Reese said the Air Force Secretary’s main priority is competing against China. Reese’s priorities for preparing the base for global competition involve readiness, a “Robins Proud” culture and team Robins.

Reese explained readiness as preparing airmen for the fight by modernizing systems and infrastructure.

“We need those systems to be modernized, so that we can continue the output that is required to keep us in the fight, keep our aircraft in the fight. So it’s imperative that we get after readiness.”

Robins Proud culture, according to Reese, is a deliberate effort to ensure airmen are adequately trained, leading to a culture of pride in their work.

He said Team Robins is crucial to the Department of Defense. Reese recalled spending most of his career needing guidance and service from Robins Air Force Base, and he said the community is also a key factor.

“It’s imperative that you are part of that. You are part of what we do on a daily basis. And everything that you contribute to our mission, every opportunity that we have to engage with you and bring you into the installation, that helps improve our impact on what we do for the United States Air Force and our country,” Reese said.

Brig. Gen. Jon Eberlan, the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex Commander, spoke next. He said 2023 was the complex’s record year in aircraft production, and the complex expects to exceed that record in fiscal year 2024.

Using the Georgia Bulldogs as an example, he said his goal for the complex is sustained excellence, using more automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning to produce more capable fighters.

“That’s what we’re after, is sustained excellence: to continue to grow and improve and continue to deliver more and more readiness, and more and more combat capability to the warfight,” Eberlan said.

Brig. Gen. Kelvin McElroy, Air Force Reserve Command Force Generation Center Commander, said the Reserve Command contributed $300 million to the local economy and is ready to join the global fight by modernizing its equipment. He added that the reserve command is a great avenue for staying local while continuing to serve the country.

Col. Adam Shelton, Commander of the 461st Air Control Wing, said among recent transitions from flying missions to ground missions, the key to ensuring a smooth transition is vision and trust in the team, along with an orchestrated and phased approach to development.

He also said support from the community in terms of housing and entertainment is essential, as missions take on a 24/7 presence with younger and single airmen moving to the area.

“If you give people the tools and the capability and the vision of where you want to go, and then give them the opportunity to spread their wings and attack the problems, that empowerment will bias them towards action, then you just let them run,” Shelton said.

Col. Christopher Dunlap, Commander of the 116 Air Control Wing, said the Air Force has blessed new missions as the base transitions away from the JSTARS mission. Because of this, employees and resources are being reallocated, and officer positions are expected to grow.

Additionally, he said the Georgia National Guard will look toward the community and recruit young officers and college graduates.

The final panelist at State of the Base was Lt. Col. Ryan Cox, commander of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Detachment and the 87th Electronic Warfare Squadron Detachment. Both detachments are part of the 950th Spectrum Warfare group and play crucial roles in utilizing and sustaining electromagnetic spectrum technology.

He said the region has a reputation for being technologically savvy and the expectation will increase as time passes. With the work needed for this new venture on base, the group will require at least 400 highly skilled airmen and civilians.

“From a professional developmental standpoint, the 950th that is present at Robins Air Force Base, it’s really bolstering Middle Georgia in an area that they’ve already become well known for,” Cox said.

For a full look at the State of the Base event, visit the Robins Regional Chamber’s YouTube channel.