Civic leaders engage Eglin, Hurlburt on national security issues

  • Published
  • By Jasmine DeNamur
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Civic leaders from across the nation were given an in-depth view of Eglin and Hurlburt Field's national security programs during the National Security Forum Alumni Tour March 31 - April 3.

More than 50 community leaders received briefings and got an up close and personal look at the McKinley Climatic Lab, the Air Force Research Lab's Taconi Room, and Air Force Special Operations Command's Special Tactics Training Squadron at Hurlburt.

The program, hosted by the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., exposes influential community leaders to senior national and international officers and civilians to gain insight into the Air Force as well as national and international security issues. Community leaders are nominated by the Air Force and previous NSF members and are then personally selected by the Secretary of the Air Force.

"Attendees represented a broad spectrum of civilian leaders from across the country," said Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Air Armament Center commander. "The cross-section of industries these leaders represented helped to not only promote a productive learning environment of military culture but also enhance interactions with those involved in national security."

The participants of this year's alumni class hail from more than 20 states and include several chief executive officers from myriad organizations, mayors and city representatives, and university faculty, to name a few.

Alumni were provided mission briefings on Eglin from General Eidsaune and wing briefings from surrounding Team Eglin commanders. Senior leadership updates continued throughout the visit with briefings given in person by Gen. Stephen Lorenz, commander of Air Education and Training Command, Lt. Gen. Robert Elder Jr., 8th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Maurice Forsyth, Air War College commandant and Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command.

"The distinguished speakers, briefings and tours focused on Team Eglin and Hurlburt support to the warfighter and national security," said General Eidsaune. "Alumni were able to take part in a forum where their concerns and questions on national security could be addressed directly."

The national security forum learning environment is a two-way path. The actual forum is a week-long symposium that mingles AWC students with NSF members to discuss and gain insight into issues concerning national security. The week is part of the school's 10-month curriculum covering coalition warfighting and national security issues.

During this visit, the Eglin and Hurlburt "course load" proved fruitful for not only NSF alumni but their military counterparts as well.

"The participants provided positive feedback on their experiences here," said General Eidsaune. "They walked away with a better understanding of Air Force contributions to national security, as did we by being exposed to their thoughts and ideas."