Leadership Dayton participants gain inside look at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Published April 21, 2026 By Rachael Ferguson 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Since its founding in 1976, Leadership Dayton has brought together 50 emerging and established community leaders each year to explore the people, organizations and challenges shaping the region. As part of that experience, participants tour Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — the largest single-site employer in Ohio — to better understand its mission and impact on the Dayton community. On April 15, this year’s class boarded a bus and headed to Wright-Patt for a full day of briefings and behind-the-scenes access. For many, it was their first time stepping beyond the installation gates. The group’s visit began with opening remarks from Col. Dustin Richards, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing, who outlined the installation’s guiding principles: resilience, readiness and strong community partnerships. Participants then toured several key areas across the base, including the Strong Lab, the centrifuge, the Honor Guard, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and the Air Force Marathon operations. Geoff Forgie, Leadership Dayton class member, dons the Wright-Patterson Explosive Ordnance Disposal's bomb suit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 15. Stops on the tour included the 711th Human Performance Wing, 88th Mission Support Group, and Wright-Patterson Honor Guard in an effort to showcase the mission and history of Wright-Patterson AFB. Leadership Dayton is the fourth oldest continuously operating community leadership program in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photos by Ashley Richards) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “I had no idea this existed,” said Hannah Myhre-Gaskil, a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual. “When you think of an Air Force base, you think of things that allow you to fly.” Instead, Myhre-Gaskil found herself most captivated by the 711th Human Performance Wing’s Strong Lab, where researchers study physical performance, recovery, nutrition and human limits to improve the health and readiness of airmen and guardians. “It really opened my eyes to the work being done to keep people healthier and performing at their best,” she said. For Sam Jones, a Dayton native, the visit offered a new perspective. Though familiar with the National Museum of the United States Air Force, he had never experienced the operational side of Wright-Patterson. Jones said he was struck by the diversity of missions on the installation — from highly specialized roles confined to the base to outward-facing units like the Honor Guard and EOD teams that regularly serve in the community. Still, his most meaningful takeaway came during a lunchtime discussion with airmen. 1st Lt. Mackenzie Collins, 88th Force Support Squadron operations officer, speaks during a panel during the Leadership Dayton class tour areas of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 15. Stops on the tour included the 711th Human Performance Wing, 88th Mission Support Group, and Wright-Patterson Honor Guard in an effort to showcase the mission and history of Wright-Patterson AFB. Leadership Dayton is the fourth oldest continuously operating community leadership program in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photos by Ashley Richards) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “It reinforced that people come to Dayton and find it to be a unique and great community — just like we do,” Jones said. “It connected all of us on the same level.” Sarah Alice Keiser, who leads the Leadership Dayton program, said the annual visit is a cornerstone of the experience. “Most participants have never been behind the gates,” Keiser said. “This gives them a real understanding of the day-to-day operations and the scale of what happens here.” By the end of the day, participants left with a deeper appreciation for the installation’s role in national defense and its connection to the local community — from research and development to the people who carry out the mission. Top of Form