BRAC Moves Aerospace Medical Research to Wright Patterson Air Force Base

BRAC Moves Aerospace Medical Research to Wright Patterson Air Force Base

Last year Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) was one of the winners during the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) process. Wright Patt was successful because the community worked together to highlight the base's contributions to the nation's military effectiveness and readiness. A successful BRAC was important for the region because Wright Patterson Air Force Base is an economic engine that has a significant impact on the entire state of Ohio. In fact, Wright Patt is the largest single-site employer in the state.

Wright Patt was especially successful in attracting high-tech fields to the base. For example: aerospace medical research and training are to be relocated to Wright Patterson from Brooks City Base in San Antonio, Texas. The Navy's Aeromedical Research Lab will move from Pensacola, Fla., to Wright-Patterson as well. All research for aviation and space medicine will then be conducted and managed out of Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

A portion of aerospace medical research and training were already located at WPAFB. As part of the cost saving goals of BRAC, the programs were to be consolidated to one location. Brooks City was being leased from the city of San Antonio, Texas to the federal government, which increased its cost. Wright Patt offered additional advantages, and so the program was consolidated here.

When the program moves here it will be known as the Joint Center of Excellence for Aerospace Medicine Research. Most Air Force research that has anything to do with medicine and flight will be conducted here. Some possible examples of the type of research that could be done include: studies on the effects of G-Force on pilots; or studies on pilot fatigue from long flights and other factors.

After working as a community to support Wright Patt, the community is now coming together once again to provide everything necessary for a large influx of new residents to the base. Partners such as the University of Dayton, Wright State University, the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the Dayton Development Coalition, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and many others are working diligently with my office to make the new arrivals to the Miami Valley feel completely welcomed and at home here.

Close to 1,000 new jobs could come to the area as part of the new Joint Center of Excellence for Aerospace Medicine Research. I'm excited to report that this is a growth area that could expand once it's up and running at Wright Patterson. Further, having this program in the region allows numerous hospitals and universities, including Wright State, to expand their research and possibly add medical related jobs as well.

BRAC is an example of what our community can do when we work together, and it is a huge win for both the community and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. It is a very exciting time to represent Ohio's Third District. The BRAC decision to consolidate the aerospace medical research and training at Wright Patterson and the new Joint Center of Excellence for Aerospace Medicine Research may prove to be one of the biggest successes within the BRAC.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/9.1.06.shtml