Commander addresses Wright-Patt challenges at NASIC town hall session

  • Published
  • By John Skaggs
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. --  Ensuring Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's largest mission partner understands the roles and responsibilities of the 88th Air Base Wing as well as the challenges the wing faces led Col. John Devil-lier, 88 ABW commander, to conduct a town hall at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center Sept. 30.

Devillier, who also carries the title of installation commander and occasionally is described as the "mayor" of Wright-Patterson AFB, discussed the makeup of the installation, workforce issues and the challenges of operating and maintaining   one of the largest bases in the Air Force.

"Organizationally, this is a complex installation," the colonel said. "Between Areas A and B, the wing oversees 8,000 acres, 750 buildings and two runways. But the wing exists to support the 116 mission partners on this base. Your safety and the security of Wright-Patt are one of my priorities. Taking care of our mission partners in turn allows them to execute requirements in support of the warfighter."

Budget reductions and force management measures have created a need to increase work force numbers in certain career fields. Devillier outlined the top 10 careers needed on Wright-Patterson AFB, which include contracting, electronics engineer, acquisition program manager, general engineering, financial administration and program   , management and program analyst, logistics management, aerospace engineering, information technology management, and intelligence

Energy conservation was another subject addressed by Devillier.

"Wright-Patterson AFB is the third largest energy consumer in the Air Force," Devillier said. "One budget-related area we can all impact is our utilities.

"I need your help in turning off monitors and lights at the end of the day and unplugging items during three- or four-day weekends," he said. "Combined with our cost effective actions -- coal to gas conversion, upgrading copper wiring to fiber optic cable, centralized recycling locations -- we can generate significant savings. Everyone should be using the recycle centers, because the money we receive goes directly   back into our installation."

Transitioning to other challenges the wing faces, the colonel touched on aging information technology infrastructure, security forces staffing, reduced quality of life programs, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning degradation.

"Collectively, we have to adjust our mind-set and challenge the status quo," Devillier said. "We no longer can afford to operate a facility or provide a quality-of-life service if only a handful of people are using them."

As he concluded his briefing, Devillier thanked those in attendance for their contributions. "Someone down range needs the support that NASIC provides," Devillier said. "Never forget that what you do every day is important and we all are part of a special team."