Executive Summary A Story of “Why and How”: The history of Maxwell Air Force Base began with Orville and Wilbur Wright, who, wanting to take advantage of their 1903 historic flight, decided in early 1910 to open a flying school to teach civilians how to fly and to promote the sale of their airplane. Wilbur, after looking at locations in Florida, came to Montgomery, Alabama. After Wilbur’s initial visit in February, the Wright Brothers decided to open the nation’s first civilian flying school on an old cotton plantation donated by The City of Montgomery, Alabama. On March 26, 1910, the Wright brothers opened the nation’s first civilian flying school just one mile west of Downtown Montgomery, Alabama, and the first powered flight in Alabama took place. Unfortunately, the school closed after only a few months of operation because of logistics problems—but the heritage remained. By the 1920s, Wright Field in Montgomery had become an important link in the growing system of aerial mail service. The Army Air Corps purchased Wright Field prior to World War I and renamed it Maxwell Field after an Alabama aviator who had been killed trying to avoid hitting children in a schoolyard several years earlier. In the early 1930s, the Army Air Corps Tactical School moved to Maxwell Field, and Montgomery became the country's intellectual center for airpower education. The school at Maxwell Field was officially designated “The Air University” in 1946, with Major General Muir S. Fairchild as its first commander. Today, The Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base continues the proud tradition of educating tomorrow's most promising commissioned and noncommissioned officers--leaders and planners in air, space and cyberspace power for the U.S. Air Force other branches of the U.S. armed forces, federal government civilians, and allied nations’ military. Much more than the economic benefit to the region and its residents the people of the Montgomery metropolitan area recognize this national benefit, as well as a huge opportunity to share commercial, cultural, social, spiritual, and now cyber defense ideas. Since the earliest days, this mutually beneficial relationship has flourished between Maxwell AFB and the Montgomery area—a true partnership adding value to those stationed at the base through the patriotic support of Montgomery and River Region residents that furthers both the Air Force’s goals and the city’s prosperity. The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and the people of the City of Montgomery and its surrounding communities actively engage with military members and their families to build lasting friendships which extend far beyond their assignment in Montgomery. They truly welcome them with open arms and involve them in all facets of Montgomery community life: entertainment, social, spiritual and cultural activities. For example, in recognition of this important relationship and to maintain and even bolster it, in 1910 The Chamber of Commerce created an aviation support committee, which has evolved into the Chamber’s Military Support Council. Today, the Council works at the highest levels of elected and corporate leaders, with this singular mission in mind: to foster the ongoing heartfelt relationship with the men and women of our armed services, while working diligently to protect and enhance the long-term viability and growth of local military installations and their missions. 1 Montgomery, Alabama – The Best Home Town in the Air Force The relationship between Montgomery and its military partners certainly rivals the best anywhere in the United States. Senior Air Force leaders who visit often continue to praise the excellent relationship between the city and Maxwell-Gunter as “the best in the Air Force.” The blend in the business world of civilian and military personnel at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, working side-by-side to meet a common goal and purpose exemplifies the seamless military- civilian interaction in the community as well. Business people seek out retiring and separating Airmen, and military spouses to hire into their offices and shops because they appreciate the caliber of these fine people. The consistently warm community support for the military assigned to Maxwell has earned Montgomery a reputation as indeed one of the most “military friendly” cities in the nation. Numerous community organizations have a continuing active role in ensuring that local military support and appreciation remains strong and vibrant. In fact, it is because of Montgomery’s warm welcome and sincere support that over the years more than 47,000 retirees with their families have chosen to stay and thrive in the River Region following separation from active duty. Aside from all the Montgomery area does in support of the military, Montgomery and the River Region have gained as much as they have given. Certainly, base personnel contribute to the local economy simply by being here. And because they appreciate the welcome, many of them give back to the community, going a step further by donating their time and talents where needed. Airmen stationed at the base routinely volunteer to staff local events, assist local charities like the Humane Society and Child Protect, plant trees, tutor area students, hold and participate in blood drives, food drives, park and public school clean-up efforts and more. In the past year, the total number of volunteer hours topped 15,000 and thousands more hours go unreported. Thanks to the presence of the base, Montgomery has grown to become a hub of military aviation advancements and information technology, with over 90 IT companies headquartered or with satellites here that support contracts and services for the growing Maxwell-Gunter Cyber mission. The nature of the true partnership the city and military share is also evident in the relationship between the base and area students and schools. Maxwell Air Force Base receives the support of Montgomery Public Schools (MPS), a school district with over 34,000 students and over 4,000 employees in many ways, including through the Chamber and City of Montgomery participating in the State of Alabama Workforce Development Council (WDC). The WDC is one umbrella for all the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s efforts regarding education and workforce development, and the Wing Commander from Maxwell AFB, the Chief Academic Officer from Air University and Air University Command Chief have a permanent seat on the Council. The Chamber has been working closely with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and the Maxwell Transition Assistance program to identify, match and translate military skills into community job openings, and is also actively seeking resumes from Airman to distribute where needed in the community. The chamber is also working diligently with the area universities and community colleges to establish a pipeline of IT and trade specialists to fill job openings all throughout the defense organizations in the area. 2 Montgomery, Alabama – The Best Home Town in the Air Force The Montgomery Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)’s Education Foundation supports a host of scholarships and other education programs that benefit both the civilian and military communities. During this report year, AFCEA’s Education Foundation raised and awarded more than $130,000 in grants and scholarships to local colleges, high schools, an elementary school, and some of the area’s brightest students. Maxwell schools also benefit from Montgomery people thanks to the hands-on involvement of the local chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA), which has worked to promote the national program of aerospace education programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the community and state. The AFA chapter’s aerospace education programs have been recognized nationally, most recently receiving the Aerospace Excellence Award. Chapter personnel avail themselves of resources from Air University to promote Science, Technology Education and Math (STEM) initiatives at all levels. The local AFA chapter also works in concert with the staff of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Education Division to promote aerospace education. Annually, this program reaches more than 250 students in the River Region. The chapter and the community are sponsoring several teams of local CAP and high school teams participating in CyberPatriot, a national contest that promotes cyber security careers through team training and competition. Yet the extra attention only underscored the unwavering support that Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce has given and received in relation to the base for over 100 years. Under the umbrella of the Chamber’s Military Support Council, the City of Montgomery, the business community, the local chapters of the Air Force Association and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association as well as numerous civic and veterans organizations all provide support to our military. This support has developed into a year-round series of annual events that reflect the high regard the community has for the military. Summary of Major Activities to Be Considered: Military Appreciation Week – Held annually in conjunction with Veterans’ Day, this patriotic Chamber of Commerce-sponsored series of events rallies area businesses and residents in a public show of support for our men and women in uniform. Free to military Summer Concert Series – Featuring several genre of arts annually this series of concerts was offered free to active duty military and their immediate families. Military Wednesdays and Military Appreciation Night at Montgomery Biscuits baseball games – At the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium special admission, discounts, and honors are paid to military members, retirees, and their dependents. Military Appreciation Night is a special night designed to highlight members of the military and thank those serving and retired for protecting our country. Special activities make the day like no other. Military Day at the Montgomery Zoo - The Montgomery Zoo had a special day for the military that was about more than giving service members time with family away from work.