Grissom Regional Defense Alliance was created in an effort to “enhance regional cooperation for continued defense growth and development in “North Central Indiana” .  We do this by a Joint effort between the Miami County Economic Development Authority and the Grissom Community Council.

The Alliance Mission Statement:

“to enhance regional cooperation for continued defense growth and development in North Central Indiana”

The GRDA is committed to a long term strategy – not focused on a single project.

Four Major Centers of Focus;

• Protect: Protecting the Grissom airfield from encroachment during economic development growth
  • Pursue construction of a 2^nd runway (civilian owned) at Grissom-create additional flexibility in airbase operations and reduce/avoid shutdowns due to certain weather conditions or airfield maintenance on one runway
  • Pursue FAA to incorporate Grissom into National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS)
    • Once in NPIAS, pursue Military Airports Program (MAP) funding for civil aviation projects to include 2^nd runway, ramp rehabilitation, hangars, etc
    • Only airport in Indiana eligible for MAP funding

• Grow: Grow military presence at Grissom by adding active duty, reserve, national guard units or other assets of the DOD
  • Pursue KC-46 tanker assignment to Grissom
  • Pursue transfer of displaced KC-135 tankers to Grissom from McConnell and Pease AFBs (both now chosen to exchange current KC-135s in future for KC-46s)
  • Investigate former National Guard interest in old Steam Plant Area on Grissom Aeroplex-capitalize on use of existing adjacent Grissom ARB facilities
  • Pursue consolidated mobility equipment processing facility with HQ United States Air Force Civil Engineers
  • Develop a presentation/talker on Grissom’s advantages, excess capacity; answer the question, “Why Grissom?”
  • Investigate our competitor bases
    • Identify strengths
    • Identify weaknesses

• Pursue
  • Pursue DOD Contracts and other Federal uses of Aeroplex property
    • Work with the State of Indiana to develop and implement a marketing strategy for DOD aircraft manufacturing at Grissom
      • Include existing Indiana businesses/educational opportunities
        • GE Aviation, Roll-Royce, Dean Baldwin Aircraft Painting
        • Purdue University, Ivy Tech, etc
      • Investigate and establish a relationship with the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) chapters in Indiana to further DOD Contractors at Grissom Aeroplex

• Educate:
  • Continually educate local, regional, State, and Federal elected officials and community leaders/ organizations on Grissom’s ARBs advantages and opportunities for growth
  • Membership/involvement in the Community Council
  • Work with 434^th Air Refueling Wing to generate and maintain an asset list – including
    • Number of personnel assigned
    • Number of aircraft assigned
    • Number of sorties scheduled/flown
    • Additional capacity/capability
      • Aircraft Parking Ramp
      • Acreage
      • Facilities/hangars
      • Maintenance and supply chain advantages
        • Cost savings on existing training facilities and experience
        • Cost savings on existing maintenance tools and parts inventory
      • Economic impact
      • KC 135 Simulator
      • Hilltop Military Operating Area (MOA) and other special use airspace
      • Airfield Installation Compatibility Use Zone (AICUZ) Study results
      • Air Traffic Control Tower/Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) capability
      • Fire/Crash Rescue capability
      • Fuel Storage Capability and Underground Fuel Hydrant System status