Governor Charlie Baker; Representatives Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, and Niki Tsongas; Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash; and MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones welcomed General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, to the Massachusetts State House yesterday to discuss the importance of Hanscom Air Force Base. General Goldfein visited Hanscom, as well as the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, MITRE, and DIUx, during his three-day visit to Massachusetts to interact with Airmen at Hanscom and learn about the Commonwealth’s effort to promote and support the strategic location, national security mission, and economic impacts of Hanscom and the Massachusetts defense sector.
“Massachusetts’ six military installations are vital not only to our nation’s security, but also to the Commonwealth’s economic strength and vitality,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are grateful to General Goldfein for taking the time to visit Massachusetts, tour Hanscom Air Force Base, and learn about our cutting-edge assets like MIT Lincoln Labs, MITRE, and DIUx. We look forward to strengthening the partnership between Air Force leadership and the Commonwealth.”
“The Commonwealth has done a great deal to partner with and support our Air Force bases in Massachusetts,” General Goldfein said. “The array of accomplishments at Hanscom AFB alone, which includes infrastructure assistance, small business outreach, a comprehensive workforce training program and more, is very impressive. The work being done by and through the Military Task Force there provides a clear model of the collaboration we need to foster between our Air Force and its host communities and states.”
“I’m glad to welcome General Goldfein to Massachusetts. The Air Force benefits from our unique innovation economy, where airmen are working every day with world-class universities, laboratories, and dynamic start-ups to solve the nation’s most pressing national security challenges,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“Hanscom is a bridge between the Department of Defense and the Massachusetts innovation economy. I thank General Goldfein for his visit to see this successful partnership and invaluable facility firsthand,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “The academic, technological and economic leadership of our region ensures that Massachusetts military installations, and especially Hanscom, have the best people and best resources to carry out their vital missions.”
“Massachusetts continues investing in and marshaling some of the best minds and resources in the world, which provide unmatched capabilities and benefits to our Armed Forces. Combined with the highly skilled workforce, strong military tradition and top-tier educational institutions unique to this region, we are positioned to continue growing as a hub of innovation. I have discussed visiting Massachusetts, and Hanscom AFB in particular, several times with General Goldfein in recent months because it is important for military leaders to see firsthand the remarkable work being done here. Massachusetts’ military installations, especially Hanscom and MIT’s Lincoln Labs, are developing cutting edge technologies that are helping the Air Force address some of its most pressing challenges. I want to thank Governor Baker and the Massachusetts Military Task Force for their partnership in supporting this hub of innovation that fuels these pioneering installations and the critical role they play in keeping our service members safe and successful around the world. We are grateful that General Goldfein was willing to take the time to see this remarkable ecosystem for himself,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas.
“Hanscom Air Force Base and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory make vital contributions to making sure our troops have the tools they need to carry out their missions on the ground,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “I'm proud of our state's leading role in our national defense, and this visit with General Goldfein is another great opportunity to showcase how Massachusetts, and the Sixth District in particular, supports and enhances our national security.”
As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, General Goldfein serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of 660,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the General and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and the President. Prior to assuming his current position, General Goldfein was the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, where he presided over the Air Staff and served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group. Before serving as the Vice Chief, General Goldfein was the Director, Joint Staff, at the Pentagon. General Goldfein received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-16C/D, F-117A, MQ-9 and MC-12W. He has flown combat missions in operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Allied Force, and Enduring Freedom.
Hanscom Air Force Base, the only active duty Air Force base in New England, is an 846-acre base located in Bedford, Lexington, and Lincoln that borders Concord. At the Base, a mix of active-duty military, civilian, and contract employees develop and acquire sophisticated radar, cyber, and information technology-based systems that provide critical battlefield situational awareness to U.S. warfighters. Hanscom’s mission expanded in 2013 when the Massachusetts Air and National Guard headquarters relocated their operations to the base. As of fiscal year 2013, the Base is responsible for more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a 2013 economic impact of $6 billion for the Commonwealth’s economy.
“The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Task Force works to strengthen economic activity and investment in all of the Commonwealth’s military installations,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “We are grateful for this opportunity to meet with General Goldfein to discuss how Hanscom’s innovative workforce and technological expertise make vital contributions to our national security.”
About the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force
Housed within the Office of the Governor and supported by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and MassDevelopment, the Task Force coordinates among the Commonwealth’s six military facilities to maximize their efficiency. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to six military installations with more than $13 billion in total economic activity and support for more than 16,000 jobs, including Hanscom Air Force Base, Natick Soldier Systems Center, Joint Base Cape Cod, Fort Devens, Westover Air Force Reserve Base and Barnes Air National Guard Base.
