Team Buckley Welcomes Metro Mayors

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. T. Zane Zakrzewski
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo --  Eight mayors and two mayor's representatives from the Denver metro area visited Buckley Air Force Base Oct. 9 for Mayors' Day hosted by Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander.

"The opportunity for mayors to be here... is just invaluable. It helps to pass the word along. Whether it's something as simple as the amount of yearly economic impact and how many people are here or how many jobs are created," said City of Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, referring to Buckley's nearly $1 billion annual stimulation to the local economy. "Thank you for not only today but thank you for what you do every day"

The city mayors and representatives visited several locations on base to learn about Team Buckley's varied and globally-reaching missions.

The visit kicked off with an overview of Team Buckley's missions at the 460th SW headquarters building. Wagner and base leadership emphasized the importance of the sister services at Buckley AFB working with the surrounding communities to improve the quality of life for service members and civilians alike.

"We have a lot of great people here who do a lot of great things and they work very hard to do it," said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Kruzelnick, 460th Space Wing command chief master sergeant, "but we just can't do it without the partnership we have between the community and the base."

The second portion of the tour brought mayors and delegates out to see UH-72 Lakota, UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and F-16 Fighting Falcons up close on the flight lines of the Colorado National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility and the Colorado Air National Guard 140th Wing. Between the two stops, the visitors stopped for lunch at the Air Reserve Personnel Center.

The tour closed with an in-depth trip through the 2nd Space Warning Squadron restricted area and the Space-Based Infrared System Mission Control Center. Walking behind the fence afforded the group a rare opportunity to become acquainted with the 460th SW's mission of persistent global surveillance.

Wagner said he hoped this day would inspire more civic and community leaders to come out to Buckley AFB to understand its value and importance to national defense. 460th SW Vice Commander Col. Scott Romberger, echoed his sentiments.

Between state emergency relief, critical records management of almost one million reservists and retirees across the country, support to global deployments, and essential national security and defense missions, the mayors were treated to a comprehensive look at Buckley's defense community microcosm.

"This is your Air Force Base too," said Romberger, addressing the conference room of mayors and delegates. "We couldn't do it without you."

 

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