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910th, AF Community Partnership, Ohio Military Commission unveils way ahead

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio --  The 910th Airlift Wing hosted a Way Ahead Meeting as part of the Air Force Community Partnership Program (AFCPP) here, Jan. 22, 2015.

During the last several months, the local AFCPP identified and developed plans for six primary areas including Airfield Services Partnership, Public Safety Training Institute Partnership, Combined Medical Training Partnership, Education Partnership, Blight Removal Partnership and Grain Bin Training Partnership.

The Work Group Team Leaders for five of the six primary areas presented Way Ahead Plans to members of the newly formed Youngstown Military Affairs Council (YMAC), YARS leadership as well as senior regional and community leaders at the meeting. The sixth primary area, Grain Bin Training, was the first product of the Air Force Community Partnership Program (AFCPP) at YARS which came to fruition here, Oct. 17, 2014, with a daylong first responder training event.

Immediately following the AFCPP Way Ahead Presentation, members of the newly formed Ohio Federal and Military Jobs Commission-Youngstown (OFMJC-Y) held an Introduction Session of their organization and membership. The OFMJC session at YARS was the first of nine regional sessions scheduled to be held across the state of Ohio.

The AFCPP, which has been ongoing since June 23, 2014 at YARS, is designed to identify and develop mutually beneficial partnerships between Air Force installations and surrounding communities. The aim is to leverage the intellectual capital, resources and entrepreneurial spirit of our installation and community to improve cost effective operations and quality of life programs; all while supporting local economic goals and interests.

YARS is one of 17 installations in the entire Air Force and the first of only two wings in Air Force Reserve Command participating in the AFCPP to explore cost-saving opportunities through partnerships and shared services with local communities, government agencies and the private sector.

The focus of the Ohio Federal and Military Jobs Commission (OFMJC), created by legislation signed in to law in September 2014, is to enhance Ohio's competitive position to retain, grow and leverage jobs associated with the state's significant military and federal installation assets. The OFMJC will also create a strategic plan to improve Ohio's ability to attract and retain federal defense missions, grow contracting and job opportunities in both the public as well as private sectors.

The YARS installation commander indicated the goals of the Air Force's partnership program and the governor's newly formed commission are very similar.

"It's all about taxpayer dollars," said Col. James Dignan, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing. "In these days of dwindling budgets, we have to make sure we are the most economically capable, viable and integrated small base out there."
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