Alexandra Shea
Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and AFMC Civic Leader Program members from across the nation visited Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, for a three-day conference, Oct. 22-24.
The AFMC CLP conference is held at different AFMC installations each year and provides attendees the opportunity to learn about diverse base missions and ongoing challenges.
“The CLP is central to making sure our bases don’t get disconnected from the communities they live in,” said Richardson. “AFMC has eight primary installations, and there are common issues at each installation. The civic leaders talk with each other and share lessons learned.”
AFMC Civic Leader Program participants are select community leaders and local influencers who reside in the communities that surround Air Force bases. The civic leaders collaborate with AFMC senior leaders and help inform their publics about the local installation missions and challenges.
“We have a strong relationship with our community and community leaders,” said Col. Deedrick Reese, Robins Installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander. “When the CLP members from across the command get here and talk to our civic leaders, we talk about our perspective and the challenges we have. It helps CLP members navigate their own challenges in their local areas. It helps with out-of-the-box thinking, a different approach or style when you get that perspective.”
At Robins AFB, the CLP members gained greater awareness of a common challenge faced by all AFMC installations – building and retaining a skilled workforce. Through partnerships with local colleges and universities, Robins AFB has created a pipeline to hire the workforce needed to ensure mission requirements are met. Many workforce members often gain experience through dual enrollment, internships and on-the-job training.
“Our goal is to train the new generation of workers who will keep your base strong,” said Ivan H. Allen, Central Georgia Technical College president and Robins AFB CLP member. “We are doing this now with 16- and 17-year-olds who are dual enrolled in high school.”
Working with educational partners around the area has allowed Robins AFB to be involved in training students, and as a result, the installation is a top employment choice when they graduate from their programs.
“I have lots of ideas to take back with me,” said David Taylor, Dayton Early College Academy superintendent out of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
As part of the visit, the CLP members toured the main areas of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, viewing aircraft, commodities and electronics maintenance missions. They learned about programmed depot maintenance of the legacy aircraft maintained at Robins – the C-130, C-17, C-5 and F-15.
“This tour has been a home run,” Richardson said. “I’ve been to Robins four times and what I find most interesting is all the advanced manufacturing capabilities we are developing so we can make parts.
“People can get fixated on the aircraft maintenance group because they are the most visible,” Richardson continued. “It’s all the other stuff like the commodities, electronic maintenance and software that underpins the aircraft — without these things, the aircraft wouldn’t work.”
After viewing the many areas that support upgrading and maintaining aircraft, the conference group was exposed to the newer missions at Robins AFB under the 461st and 116th Air Control Wings, the 950th Spectrum Warfare Group, and the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron.
Hearing about these missions gave the CLP members insight into how the Air Force is reoptimizing for Great Power Competition. The integrated warfare capabilities these missions contribute to the fight, along with AFMC and Robins’ ability to upgrade and maintain the Air Force and Navy’s legacy fleets, will help deliver what is needed to commanders in a peer-competitor fight.
At the 78th ABW, CLP members learned how units worked with each mission partner to support their needs in areas including Information Technology, security, healthcare, services, etc. Giving the CLP members an inside look at the missions and their requirements empowers them to better communicate within their spheres of influence.
“When the CLP members have a different perspective of each mission across AFMC and how each wing and center contribute to it, we gain more advocacy for the things we need to keep our missions going,” said Reese. “They are able to take that experience back to their bases, along with gaining a broader perspective of what AFMC does and how we support the Air Force mission.”
The conference closed with a dinner hosted by the Middle Georgia Military Affairs Council against a backdrop of vintage aircraft and vehicles housed in the Museum of Aviation’s Century of Flight Hangar. MGMAC members and CLP members discussed their experiences, shared challenges, and worked together to generate ideas.
“These are the ideas we want (CLP members) to steal,” said Richardson during the final dinner. “That’s what we want them to take back to their communities.”
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program members along with Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, left, AFMC commander, Brig. Gen. Jon Eberlan, second from left, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex commander, and Col. Deedrick Reese, back right, Robins Installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander, stand in front of a C-17 aircraft undergoing programmed depot maintenance at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024. The program brought 14 civic leaders from across AFMC to Robins AFB to gain a better understanding of mission requirements through firsthand experiences so they can better advocate Air Force needs within their speres of influence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program member Kearston Cutrubus, Cutrubus Enterprises vice president out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, asks questions about F-15 functional testing and maintenance to a member of the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Robins AFB, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024. Robins AFB hosted AFMC CLP members to learn about the various missions across the installation and how they can support the needs of the Air Force within their areas of influence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Joel Rich, 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron deputy director with the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, briefs members of the Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program about the F-15 aircraft functional test process at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024. The civic leaders learned about the WR-ALC mission and how Team Robins contributes to the mission of AFMC, Air Force, Department of Defense and the overall national defense during their tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, left, Air Force Materiel Command commander, listens to Steelie Graham, right, 572nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron Dowty Propeller supervisor, as he explains the propeller overhaul and repair process to AFMC Civic Leader Program members at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024. The CLP tour group learned about the process of repairing and replacing C-130 propellers to generate readiness of the airframe that has more than 70 years of service in the Department of Defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Ben Stuart, center right, 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director, gives a briefing to members of the Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program inside a C-130 aircraft cargo area at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024, about the squadron’s overhaul and repair process of the aircraft going through the sustainment process. The CLP members saw the interior area of the cargo aircraft and received a better understanding of the mission requirements through firsthand experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Jonathan Tucker, center, 572nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron director, provides a F-15 aircraft wing overhaul and repair process briefing to Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, left center, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and AFMC Civic Leader Program members at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024. The AFMC civic leaders learned how the wing overhaul and repair process supports readiness through sustainment for legacy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Joey Yawn, right, 562nd Production Flight chief, gives a briefing of the C-17 aircraft program depot maintenance process at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024, to members of the Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program. The brief provided details of the squadron’s capabilities for the overhaul and repair process of C-17 aircraft undergoing program depot maintenance at the complex. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather) 
MACON, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and AFMC Civic Leader Program members walk through Robins North Aerospace Training and Development Center in Macon, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024. CLP members learned about the advantages Robins North provides due to its collaboration between Central Georgia Technical College and Robins Air Force Base in teaching and completing aviation maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alexandra Shea) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – 78th Security Forces Military Working Dog team, Airman 1st Class Emma Greifelt, left, and MWD Pinto, do a demonstration with Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024. AFMC civic leaders visited Robins AFB to gain a better understanding of mission requirements through firsthand experiences, such as how the Defenders and their canine partners protect the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rodney Speed) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Col. Eric Smith, 116th Air Control Wing vice commander, briefs Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and AFMC Civic Leader Program members on the current and future capabilities of the 116th ACW at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024. CLP members learned about this mission and other missions AFMC is supporting at Robins as the Air Force reoptimizes to be better postured for Great Power Competition. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Rice) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Col. Deedrick Reese, center, Robins Installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander, introduces the 116th Air Control Wing explosive ordnance disposal unit and explains its support to the installation and the state to Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, left, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and AFMC Civic Leader Program members at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024. The AFMC Civic Leader Program brought in 14 members from across the country to learn more about the AFMC mission and how it not only directly supports the Airmen, but also supports national defense through sustaining other major commands and services as well. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Rice) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program member David Taylor, Dayton Early College Academy superintendent & CEO out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, wears a 116th Air Control Wing explosive ordnance disposal bomb suit at Robins AFB, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024. AFMC CLP members wore the suit during their tour of Robins AFB where they learned about the missions across the base and how they can support the needs of the Air Force within their areas of influence. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Rice) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Master Sgt. Stuart Kadlec, right, 116th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leader, explains the importance of robotics in dealing with explosives to Neko Stubblefield, center, Eglin Federal Credit Union Membership & Community Development vice president and AFMC Civic Leader Program member from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and other AFMC CLP members at Robins AFB, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024, during the AFMC CLP Conference. The event brought civic leaders from across AFMC to get an inside look at various mission sets at Robins AFB, to include the 116th Air Control Wing, and local area education centers that offer certificate and degree programs in highly desired fields around the installation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Rice) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Penny Elkins, Mercer University senior vice president for Enrollment Management and Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program member from Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, tries on an explosive ordnance disposal bomb suit from the 116th Air Control Wing EOD unit at Robins AFB Oct. 23, 2024. AFMC brought their Civic Leader Program members to Robins AFB to get an in-depth understanding of the various missions at Robins AFB and gain a better understanding of mission requirements through firsthand experiences. 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – U.S. Air Force Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, right, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and Mike Kloiber, center, Tinker Federal Credit Union retired president/CEO and AFMC Civic Leader Program member from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, learn about the 116th Air Control Wing explosive ordnance disposal x-ray equipment and capabilities at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 23, 2024. CLP members visited Robins to gain firsthand knowledge of AFMC and Robins’ missions so they can better advocate Air Force needs within their spheres of influence. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Rice) 
MACON, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, AFMC Civic Leader Program members, Warner Robins community leaders and Mercer University senior staff pose for a group photo outside the Mercer University Center in Macon, Georgia, Oct. 24, 2024. CLP members met with the Mercer University president and cabinet members to hear about the educational partnerships between the university and Robins Air Force Base to help feed the local source of engineers and engineering research in the Middle Georgia area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alexandra Shea) 
MACON, Ga. – Col. Deedrick Reese, Robins Installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander, gives Mercer University mascot Toby a high five in Macon, Georgia, Oct. 24, 2024, during the Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program. The conference, hosted by Robins Air Force Base, brought civic leaders together from across AFMC bases to get an inside look at various mission sets at Robins AFB, to include programmed depot maintenance at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, and local area education centers that offer certificate and degree programs in highly desired fields around the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alexandra Shea) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Air Force Materiel Command civic leaders and Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, AFMC commander, attend a demonstration by Houston County School District robotics team, The FIRST Robotics Flying Legion, at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 24, 2024. The AFMC Civic Leader Program learned about this award-winning STEM program focused on developing engineering and interpersonal skills as part of their overall tour of Robins AFB, which highlighted key AFMC and mission partner objectives through firsthand experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tomarius Roberts) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and a member of the Houston County School District robotics team, The FIRST Robotics Flying Legion, work together to operate a robot at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, Oct. 24, 2024. The students put on the demonstration for Richardson and the AMFC Civic Leader Program, which brought 14 civic leaders representing the command from across the country to Robins AFB to gain a better understanding of AFMC key missions so they can better advocate Air Force needs within their spheres of influence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tomarius Roberts) 
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, left, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and AFMC Civic Leader Program members tour the U.S. Air Force Advanced Training and Technology Center in Warner Robins, Georgia, just outside Robins Air Force Base Oct. 24, 2024. CLP members from across the command learned about the collaborative initiative between the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the University of Dayton Research Institute and Robins AFB taking place at this facility to modernize and develop the future of manufacturing technologies. (courtesy photo) 
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, second from left, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and members of the AFMC Civic Leader Program learn about the various technologies being utilized at the U.S. Air Force Advanced Training & Technology Center in Warner Robins, Georgia, just outside Robins Air Force Base Oct. 24, 2024. Robins AFB, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the University of Dayton Research Institute created this center to capitalize on the government and academic talents of people in the region in manufacturing technologies. (courtesy photo) 
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, watches Lorenzo Williams Jr., a retired Marine sergeant major, as he initiates his programmed sequence allowing a robot arm to swing and pick items up at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center in Warner Robins Oct. 24, 2024. Richardson, along with the AFMC Civic Leader Program members, visited the VECTR Center to learn about the resources it provides to the local veteran community, to include its classes and programs it offers toward career training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alexandra Shea) 
PERRY, Ga. – Air Force Materiel Command Civic Leader Program members and Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, AFMC commander, dine with Robins Air Force Base senior leaders on Carrol Street in Perry, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2024. CLP members from across the command toured Robins AFB and its surrounding area and were able to share their experiences from their home installations, share ideas, and generate possible solutions to shared base challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alexandra Shea) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, gives the Middle Georgia Military Affairs Council and AFMC Civic Leader Program members his thanks during a closing dinner Oct. 24, 2024, at the Museum of Aviation for the annual CLP Conference held at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The conference brought together CLP members from across AFMC to get an in-depth understanding of the various missions at Robins AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alexandra Shea)