Houston County Commissioners hear from 402nd Software Engineering Group, approve opioid training 

PERRY — The Houston County Commissioners heard from Robins Air Force Base’s 402nd Software Engineering Group (SWEG) Director, Mike Doubleday, in Tuesday’s meeting. 

When Doubleday graduated from Florida State University, he was heavily recruited by multiple government agencies, including the United States Navy and the FBI, as well as several industry companies based in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

“The reason I chose to come to Robins Air Force Base, is because it was a three hour drive from home and the infrastructure at the time back then. There was no traffic,” he said. 

Doubleday’s path to becoming a civil servant stemmed from his job opportunity at Robins Air Force Base. 

“They provided me with the offer to go to the university of my choice to obtain my Master’s Degree [with] paid tuition, paid relocation expenses as well as full salary,” he said. “Being a life-long Central Georgia resident, I’ve been in Middle Georgia for the last 36 years, all working at Robins Air Force Base.” 

Doubleday said he has had about 11 different jobs on base. He mentioned the 402nd SWEG leadership was like a well-oiled machine. 

“It was working out tremendously, but there was an opportunity for a large organizational transformation,” he said. “In a sense, we separated out from underneath the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, and we stood up what we call our Air Force Sustainment Center Software Directorate.” 

According to Doubleday, the directorate has reached about 5,500 scientists and engineers who are responsible for providing software for the military. 

“Within the 402nd SWEG, our mission set is basically everything you see on the flight line; all the software that goes on the F-15s, C-17s, C-5s as well as a variant of the C-130s,” he said. 

The 402nd SWEG also provides software for unique parts of Robins Air Force Base, such as UAVs. 

“A lot of the commodities that go on other aircraft whether they are pointy nosed fighters, bombers, tankers or cargo aircraft, we are responsible for some of the software that goes on the various avionics boxes,” he said. 

Doubleday said the people of the 402nd SWEG are their main resource. 

Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Doubleday and the 402nd SWEG. 

“I appreciate you, what you do and your team by continuing to enhance and improve the warfighter,” Commissioner Tal Talton said. “I’m so happy that there are smart folks like you doing the kinds of things that you’re doing for the sake of our country, so thank you for being here and thank you for what you do for our nation,” Commissioner Shane Gottwals said. 

In new business, the Board approved several Special Exception Applications, including a photography, consulting, and event planning business, as well as approving a right-of-way abandonment in Elko. 

“If you look at a map of Downtown Elko, there were a lot of planned alleyways that were never developed, and this was one of those cases,” Chairman Dan Perdue said. 

The Commission also approved a lease agreement with Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area. This agreement will be in effect in time for the 2025-2026 hunting season. 

Another item the Board approved was a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centerville Police Department. According to the agenda, this will provide the training for 12 Centerville Police officers to address the needs of criminal justice-involved individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and any substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The training cost of $5,400 will be used from Houston County’s opioid settlement special reserve fund. 

“We’re happy to partner with the City of Centerville and provide some of our opioid funds in order for them to receive this training,” Perdue said. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 5 p.m. at the Houston County Annex, 200 Carl Vinson Parkway. 

The full agenda for this meeting can be found here.