Air Force forum reminds Solano officials of Travis' importance

Air Force forum reminds Solano officials of Travis' importance
By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 05/20/2008

A healthy Travis Air Force Base is essential to Solano County's security and economic well-being, said two local officials who recently returned from a four-day Air Force forum.

Sandy Person, Solano Economic Development Corporation vice president, and County Supervisor Jim Spering were among those who attended the 55th annual National Security Forum at Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The forum was designed to expose influential citizens to senior U.S. and international officers and civilian equivalents for an exchange of ideas and perspectives on Air Force, national and international security, Spering said.

"It's a tremendous outreach by the Air Force to give community leaders a better idea of the military's impact on local security and economy," Spering said. "It was eye-opening for me, and I came away with a much greater appreciation and a sense of obligation to advocate for a healthy Travis Air Force Base."

Describing herself as "still aglow" from the "phenomenal experience," Person said she left the forum with the same message.

"Travis is the county's single largest economic generator, at about $1.3 billion annually," Person said. "I was just moved by the extraordinary quality of the people. I was inspired and humbled. It made me want to up my game, to be more aware of our county's situation and strive for excellence."

Last week, some 130 civilian business, education and government leaders from across the U.S. met with senior military leaders to candidly explore national security issues, Person said.

"In our group, we had a general, a pilot, a high-ranking officer from Jordan and one from Indonesia," Person said. "I came away with a sense that the rest of the world looks to us for leadership, and I want to be a champion of that effort."

Part of Air University, the Air War College is the Air Force officer education system's senior professional development school, according to an EDC statement. It's a major component of Air Education and Training Command and the intellectual and leadership center of the Air Force, the statement notes.

For more information on Air University, visit www.au.af.mil.

• E-mail Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at RachelZ@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6824.