The total economic impact of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, on the surrounding region anchored by Dayton, Ohio, exceeds $4.4 billion, according to newly issued Air Force data. The base’s 2008 base economic impact analysis (full document; caution, large file), which incorporates data as of September 2008, shows that there is a total of 25,713 military, civilian, and contractor employees at Wright-Patterson, an increase of nearly 900 personnel compared to 2007 figures. “This document illustrates that economic growth on the base is robust and radiating throughout the Miami Valley,” said Col. Bradley Spacy, commander of Wright-Paterson’s 88th Air Base Wing. (Wright-Patterson report by Josh Aycock)
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said he'd be “comfortable’ with the service taking over the air base defense mission from the Army, provided it was given the resources and manpower to do so. The Army has been slow to devote the resources and attention needed to matching the Air Force’s…