Beavercreek, OH

Anybody who’s ever flown in an airplane has experienced the genius of Beavercreek’s neighbor, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. One of the largest, most diverse and complex Air Force bases, it’s been an Ohio fixture for nearly a century and is where the Air Force aircraft of tomorrow are conceived and developed.

“Wright-Patt’s presence goes back to the days of the Wright brothers in the early 1900s when they learned to fly at Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and that field remains part of the Air Force base today,” says Derek Kaufman, public affairs specialist for the 88th Air Base Wing. “Things really began to take shape for the base around World War I, and today it’s home to 24,000 military, civilian and contractor employees.”

Situated on 8,100 acres, Wright-Patterson houses security forces, physicians, nurses, intelligence analysts, contracting and logistics professionals, and others who provide support to military and humanitarian operations around the globe.

Wright-Patterson has a whopping $4.4 billion economic impact on local communities, and, in turn, local citizens are very supportive of the base. The Miami Valley Military Affairs Association helps foster the local military-community relationship in a variety of ways, including helping sponsor the base’s Heroes Welcoming Heroes program.

“Heroes Welcoming Heroes is a fantastic event that’s held three times a year at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force,” Kaufman says. “It recognizes military members and their families who have sacrificed so much by keeping the home fires burning while loved ones are deployed. It gives them a chance to relax and enjoy camaraderie with other airmen who have returned from deployment, and it’s an opportunity for them to be recognized by the community.”

The U.S. Air Force museum located on the base near Beavercreek is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, featuring more than 400 aerospace vehicles.

“Admission is free, so that’s enticing, and you can see one-of-a-kind items like the B-2 Bomber and the North American XB-70,” says Sarah Parke, the museum’s public affairs specialist. “You can sit in cockpits and walk through a fuselage in a bomber aircraft. We also have a shuttle to the Presidential Gallery at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where you can see several presidential aircrafts, including the plane that served as Air Force One the day Kennedy was assassinated.”

Rich in aviation and military history, the museum serves as an educational outlet, offering guided tours for schools as well as hosting events such as the biannual Home School Day.

Additional Wright-Patterson-sponsored events drawing the community and the military closer together include the United States Air Force Marathon, slated for Sept. 19, 2009. “The marathon grows significantly every year,” Kaufman says. “Participants don’t have to be affiliated with the military at all, and there are lots of opportunities to volunteer.”

Another large public event, the Air Force Materiel Command Tattoo celebrates Wright-Patterson’s military heritage and its importance to the development of aviation. “Tattoo is designed to strengthen our partnership with the community, and it’s absolutely free,” Kaufman says, noting the flyovers, live music, fireworks and other entertainment.

“We get great support from the community and organizations like the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association,” Kaufman says. “They go the extra mile to recognize the contribution of our military members, and we appreciate that.”