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Dayton Business Journal
Hagel
resignation leaves big questions for Wright-Patt, Dayton
Nov 24, 2014
Joe Cogliano
The resignation of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday could be a
setback to local advocacy efforts for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Hagel understands the role that Wright-Patt plays in national defense
because of his military background, former U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson told
me Monday morning. So Wright-Patt leadership, as well as the community
here, may have to start their relationship with his replacement from
scratch.
"Depending on who they appoint, the community may have to go through a
big education program," said Hobson, a key supporter of Wright-Patt
during his 18-year Congressional tenure. "That learning curve would be
a lot less if they pick someone with an Air Force background."
Hagel's replacement could have a big impact on the future of the Dayton
area — good or bad — as Wright-Patt is the largest single-site employer
in Ohio. The base pumps nearly $5 billion annually into the local
economy and supports at least 50,000 total jobs inside and outside the
fence.
Additionally, shielding the base from future BRAC losses, and setting
it up to lure missions from elsewhere, will require figuring out what
the U.S. Department of Defense will look like down the road. The
secretary plays a large part in how that develops.
Related: AFRL small business spending tops $1 billion this year
Another thing to watch, Hobson said, is the new secretary's stance on
planned realignments within the services. That could be a person who
decides to change things up...
Read the rest of the article at Dayton Business Journal
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