DAF civic leaders experience NCR mission, modernization during AFDW immersion

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md -- Department of the Air Force Civic Leaders gained firsthand insight into the Air Force District of Washington's unique operational footprint and strategic modernization efforts during an immersion tour of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., and Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Aug. 26, 2026.
The DAF Civic Leader Program, hosted by the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs, brings together nearly 80 influential community leaders from across the United States who serve as advocates for Airmen, military families and Department of War installations nationwide. Thirty-two program members attended the engagement.
The one-day tour across AFDW's primary installations provided the delegation with a comprehensive look at how the command sustains its "no-fail" national security missions while driving critical quality of life investments for the National Capital Region's massive military community.
The immersion began at JBAB, where the civic leaders explored the installation's rich heritage and specialized missions.
The civic leader’s first stop was with the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Honor Guard. The visit highlighted daily operations, from military funeral honors to drill team precision, alongside a tour of the technical training facility where guardsmen train to deliver premier honors and represent all Airmen and Guardians worldwide
The visit continued with a tour of The U.S. Air Force Band facility, where the members learned about the organization’s background and observed a live performance demonstrating how the Band honors those who have served, fosters national pride, and builds international goodwill through music.
Following the JBAB immersion, the members traveled to JBA to explore critical infrastructure projects and the modernization of the installation's rotary-wing fleet.
The JBA visit began with a quality-of-life initiatives briefing, including the ongoing redesign of The Courses at Andrews golf course. The project is designed to modernize the installation’s premier morale, welfare and recreation assets while continuing to provide a highly secure environment for presidential recreation and diplomatic engagements.
The civic leaders shifted focus to JBA’s contingency response operations during a tour of the 1st Helicopter Squadron.
During a walk-through of the squadron’s facilities, civic leaders examined specialized aircrew flight equipment, received a hands-on night vision goggle demonstration and met with aircrew members at a UH-1N Huey static display on the flightline.
During the flightline brief, 316th Wing leadership highlighted the unit's rich heritage of immediate response in the NCR and explained how the upcoming transition from the historic UH-1N airframe to the advanced HH-60W Jolly Green II platform secures that capability for the future.
"Our mission is to perform a 24/7 emergency airlift mission to support crisis situations for our senior leaders here in the National Capital Region," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Shea, 316th Wing Operations Group operations division chief. "Modernizing our fleet ensures that our 24/7, no-fail national security mission remains fully equipped."
To facilitate this transition without a gap in mission coverage, the 316th Wing stood up the 5th Helicopter Squadron Aug. 27, 2026, to receive the new aircraft and begin crew qualification, while the historic 1st Helicopter Squadron maintains the continuous alert mission.
Following the AFDW installation tours, the civic leaders transitioned into a two-day strategic conference at the Jacob E. Smart Center to engage directly with senior DAF leadership, including the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, on global modernization efforts and force readiness.

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