BRAC Commission Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)

REMARKS [AS PREPARED]: BRAC COMMISSION AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (AFIT)

I again thank General Newton and Secretary Skinner for visiting AFIT.

AFIT's location truly impacts the experience that students receive while pursuing a degree. The Air Force Research Labs are positioned right next to AFIT, giving AFIT students access to about 3000 of the brightest and most experienced scientists and engineers -- more than at any single location in the world. This close proximity to the Labs also means that the students at AFIT can conduct their research using the major equipment already at these Labs.

This location also offers students the ability to receive instruction about classified technology, which cannot be done at a civilian institution. For instance, AFIT was able to teach stealth technology to the Air Force officers who went on to develop and operate stealth aircraft.

Further, the cost for students to live and attend school at AFIT, which is located in the Dayton area, is certainly less than stationing a student and his or her family in Monterey.

Finally, at AFIT we heard from an auditorium of students -- students representing the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and foreign militaries -- about the value of the education that they are receiving and why they chose AFIT over any other post graduate opportunity. Time and time again, the answer was that AFIT provided the best opportunity to meet their career goals.

The evidence clearly illustrates that keeping AFIT open and operational at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the best alternative for the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and certainly the tax payer.

I thank you for your time today. I also stand ready to provide you with any additional information you may require. With that, I again turn to my colleague, Congressman Dave Hobson.

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