910th commander participates in Ohio Aerospace and Defense Forum panel Published Sept. 17, 2025 By Capt. Donnie Hatheway 910th Airlift Wing DAYTON, Ohio -- Military and community leaders, industry representatives and elected officials came together for the tenth annual Ohio Defense and Aerospace Forum where 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Chris Sedlacek, based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, participated in the "Installations Panel: Non-traditional threats – The role in modern society in war and peace" at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2025. Col. Sedlacek was joined by fellow panelists 179th Cyberspace Wing Commander Col. Darren Hamilton, based out of Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Ohio, 88th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Dustin Richards, stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and NASA Glenn Research Center Facilities, Test and Center Operations Director Mr. Bryan Smith, located in Cleveland, Ohio, with moderator retired Col. Cassie Barlow, Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education president, situated in Dayton, Ohio. The forum provided an opportunity for Sedlacek and participants to connect, build awareness and gain a deeper understanding of the current defense environment and the role the 910th AW plays in employing agile combat support, tactical airlift and aerial spray capabilities while training and developing premier Reserve Airmen to be mission ready always! “One of our main efforts is modernization,” said Sedlacek. “Both modernizing the way we do business and doing it without skipping a beat for the combatant commanders--that is where the story is sold.” Sedlacek provided an update to the packed auditorium on 910 AW’s main modernization efforts, including ongoing aircraft conversion from C-130H Hercules to C-130J Super Hercules, updating the unit’s modular aerial spray systems to support the Department of Defense’s only large-fixed aerial spray capability to control disease-carrying insects and pest insects, ongoing construction of the new main gate and beginning construction of the newly awarded $25-million fire station here. Through continued dialogue, the panelists discussed topics ranging from community engagement and trust, crisis management and preparedness, future growth and development and defense industry and innovation. “We have many incredible relationships across the community,” said Sedlacek. “One thing we are looking at is how we continue to educate and get our mission out into the local community.” Sedlacek emphasized that through various community partners like Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission, Youngstown Air Reserve Base Community Council, Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, Western Reserve Port Authority, Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, Jobs Ohio and Lake to River, local universities, sports teams and more, the unit can bolster advocacy, trust and support across the Mahoning Valley. Mutually, the 910 AW offers a myriad of community engagement opportunities to include installation tours, color guard, speaker, flyover, vehicle and static display requests as well as free public events on the installation. As the discussion came to a close, all the leaders on stage concurred that even with enhanced modernization and technologies, and undeniable community support, the mission could never be accomplished without the men and women who serve to support the warfighter and defend the American people. “I couldn’t be prouder of the 910th team,” said Sedlacek. “I am proud of our Reservists for doing the mission, the same mission side-by-side with their Active Duty brothers and sisters, and doing it at a fraction of the cost and only having one weekend a month to get their training done. And they do it without a hitch, every time.”