Capt. Christine Del Aguila
The 47th Flying training Wing hosted the first Remote and Isolated CONUS Installation Summit 30 April – 1 May 2024, gathering over 30 leaders from across remote and isolated bases in the United States.
The goal of this historical first gathering aimed to create a strategic charter to present to senior Department of the Air Force and government leaders to tackle challenges and improve the quality of life for Airmen stationed at RICI bases.
“Our objective of this summit is to define uniquely remote and isolated challenges and minimum acceptable quality of services to maintain mission assurance and quality of life,” said Col. Kevin A. Davidson, 47th Flying Training Wing commander.
The summit included leadership from 19th Air Force, Laughlin AFB, Edwards AFB, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Cannon AFB, Grand Forks AFB, Holloman AFB, Creech AFB, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Mountain Home AFB, Space Base Delta 1, Vance AFB, Altus AFB and Minot AFB.
“Everyone here are doers,” said Chief Lester Largaespada, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief. “This is how history is made and things get done. It’s all about making life better for our Airmen, and that’s why we’re gathered here for two days to create this charter.”
The summit kicked off with personnel getting a tour of Laughlin AFB, to view firsthand some best practices and challenges Laughlin experiences as a Remote and Isolated installation.
“We deliberately chose to host the gathering for this first RICI summit,” said Davidson, “We wanted to show our fellow RICI bases what challenges we have had, and continue to have, and share how we get after them.”
Each base then presented their wing mission statement, top three to five major challenges, best practices and innovative ideas, and their desired outcome of the summit.
“All RICI bases possess common challenges to include Manpower, Healthcare, Food Sustainment and quality of life,” said Davidson.
Day two featured discussions into barrier bubbles that each base experiences. At lunch, Laughlin civic leaders from across education, healthcare, real estate and food industries spoke to conference attendees about the relationship they have with the base and how they work to alleviate challenges that come with being in a remote, micro metropolitan area.
“We are all here today to create a coalition that will inform our senior leaders how being a remote and isolated installation impacts our Airmen and our mission,” said Davidson.
The end goal of the RICI coalition is to continuously collaborate and synchronize remote and isolated issues to inform policy and decision making.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Casey, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, speaks to a group of senior leaders about the enlisted dormitory during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference (RICI) tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. This was the first summit ever held for RICI. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Casey, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about Hangar 47 during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference (RICI) tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. The summit aimed to create a strategic charter to address challenges faced by Airmen at RICI bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Boots, 47th Healthcare Operations Squadron (HCOS) commander, points at an infographic for the 47th Medical group while speaking to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Over 30 leaders from Remote and Isolated bases across the U.S. attended. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kayleigh Stilwell, 47th Force Support Squadron commander, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about the Losano Fitness Center during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Discussions focused on manpower, healthcare, food sustainment and quality of life enhancements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Casey, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about the Base Exchange remodeling during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Bragado, 434th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about the daily life of a First Assignment Instructor Pilot (FAIP) during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. The summit addressed issues from childcare to spouse employment, impacting a wide range of life aspects for Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Davidson, 47th Flying Training Squadron commander, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about the need for car hail covers and the status of future projects during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference (RICI) tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. The event was a significant first in addressing unique RICI challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Davidson, 47th Flying Training Squadron commander, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about Team XL’s mission and the process of getting aircraft sunshades during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Discussions included challenges of being isolated culturally and geographically. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. George Trosper, 47th Operation Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of airfield weather operations, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders about local weather challenges during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. The event aimed to foster a sense of collaboration among bases facing similar challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Candi Schneider, 432nd Mission Support Group chief enlisted manager, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Bases shared their top innovative ideas, best practices and challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Stoltzfus, 412 Training Wing command chief, and Senior Master Sgt. Brian Pettaway, 412 TW senior enlisted leader, speak to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Bases shared their top innovative ideas, best practices and challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
Dr. Carlos Rios, San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) superintendent, speaks with U.S. Space Force Chief Charles Apodaca (middle), Space Base Delta 1 command senior enlisted leader, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Clark (right), SBD 1 senior enlisted airman, during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Local civic leaders across various sectors provided insights into their collaboration as the community with Laughlin Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
Aurora Guerra, Roberto “Bobby” Barerra Principal, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. The summit highlighted Laughlin’s relationship with the local community of Del Rio and showcased efforts to maintain and improve this symbiosis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
Rogelio Gonzalez, “Grow Your Own” program manager, speaks to a group of senior enlisted and commissioned leaders during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. The summit highlighted Laughlin’s relationship with the local community of Del Rio and showcased efforts to maintain and improve this symbiosis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman) 
Laughlin community civic leaders and senior enlisted leaders converse during the Remote and Isolated Contiguous United States (CONUS) Initiative Conference tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 30, 2024. Local civic leaders across various sectors provided insights into their collaboration as the community with Laughlin Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)