Thursday, March 13, 2008
Travis Commander Shares Deployment Experiences With Business Leaders
By Ian Thompson | DAILY REPUBLIC | March 12, 2008
VACAVILLE - The war on terror, wind turbines, the arrival of Travis Air Force Base's last two C-17s and expansions to David Grant Medical Center's services were subjects Wednesday during base commander Col. Steven Arquiette's speech to local business leaders.
Arquiette has just returned from a four-month deployment in Southwest Asia, where he helped coordinate the Air Force's air mobility, air drop, aeromedical evacuation and air refueling assets.
The commander told members of the Solano Economic Development Corp. he was glad 'to be back where everything is green.'
For the complete story see the Daily Republic Online.
Posted by Michael at 9:21 AM Links to this post
Travis Commander Back From Mideast
By Danny Bernardini
Article Launched: 03/13/2008
Col. Steven Arquiette
Col. Steven Arquiette Fresh off a four-month stint in the Middle East, Travis Air Force Base's commander met with local business leaders Wednesday to let them know about the important role the base is playing in the war on terrorism and to stress the importance of the base's relationship with the local community.
Col. Steven Arquiette's speech, part of a luncheon sponsored by the Solano Economic Development Corporation in Vacaville, wasn't heavy with statistics and figures about the base, but he did mention that in 2006-07 the strategic weapon drops to troops increased 400 percent and all other air drops increased 200 percent.
"We've promised soldiers that they can go 100 or 200 miles in and we will get them supplies," he said. "We're not slowing down."
Many topics surrounding the base, both literally and figuratively, have made headlines recently. While Arquiette didn't address the controversy of revamping C-5 aircraft or replacing them with C-17s, he did say Travis would be receiving a new C-17 in April.
What he did discuss are the wind turbines near the base that are being proposed and the planned Wal-Mart Supercenter in Suisun City. He said, in both instances, that the appropriate agencies are handling the issues and he is confident that any encroachment or radar issues will be avoided.
Some concern had been expressed in the past about the potential for the projects to interfere with Travis operations, those issues have been dealt with, he said.
As for his time overseas, Arquiette said he is happy to be back at Travis.
"To come back from the desert to Solano County, where everything is green, it was great to get back out there," Arquiette said. "My hat is off to you that help us day in and day out. I want to continue to reach out. Once you start the dialogue, it's a powerful thing."
Arquiette was asked about being promoted out of that rank after his term as Wing Commander expires in May. He said his future is still undetermined.
In the meantime, he said, continuing to grow healthy relationships and ongoing communication are key in assisting in the war and must continue if America is to come out victorious.
"If we don't get it right now, we will be fighting when my son is of age," Arquiette said. "It's not over until we win."
Posted by Michael at 8:54 AM Links to this post
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Reputation Of Travis Solid In D.C.
Reputation Of Travis Solid In D.C.
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/05/2008
Fairfield government officials spent Tuesday rubbing elbows with Air Force generals in Washington, D.C., discussing Travis Air Force Base. And, today, they will discuss other issues with congressional members.
Mayor Harry Price, Councilman Chuck Timm and City Manager Sean Quinn all made the trip to discuss future funding for Travis and city projects. The group talked with The Reporter via conference call Tuesday after a long day of meetings.
The consensus among two- and three-star generals was that Travis has built a great reputation and has come through for the Air Force. Timm said Travis was commended on its strategic airlift activities and the fact that encroachment has not been a problem in regard to the base.
"Folks in the Pentagon are very pleased with the way the Travis community has responded to their needs," Price said.
Timm, who is only in his fifth month of serving on the council, said although it is easy to get blown away by the fact the group is talking to high-ranking officials in national landmarks, the job at hand is to bring home some funding.
"This is out of my realm, it's heavy stuff. It's actually exhausting," Timm said. "We have something they want, that's cooperation. We have a list of things we want. We try and stress the importance and hope they see that.
"We're here two days going from sun-up to sun-down," Timm added.
Quinn said one advantage Fairfield has is that officials have been heading to Washington, D.C., for lobbying. He said the familiarity helps while discussing issues.
"One comment we heard is that they appreciate it that we come back every year," he said. "They recognize that and commented on that. We have a history there."
He said the group has several specific issues on their list, rather than just discussing broad topics.
"This isn't a shotgun approach, it's a rifle approach," Quinn said. "We targeted several things we wanted to discuss and met with the right people."
Some of those items outside Travis' gates include the following:
• $3 million for Fairfield/Solano Radio Interoperability;
• $2 million for the design and construction for a new parking garage for the Fairfield Transportation Center;
• And, $350,000 to improve after-school programs for middle school students.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Posted by Michael at 12:09 PM Links to this post
City Leaders Lobby in D.C.
City Leaders Lobby in D.C.
By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | March 04, 2008
FAIRFIELD - Keeping Travis Air Force Base robust was the theme of the day during the city's annual lobbying day in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Harry Price, Councilman Chuck Timm and City Manager Sean Quinn made the rounds with the nation's top military officials at the Pentagon on Tuesday, discussing the future of the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III programs among other Travis concerns.
The three are in the nation's capital this week to push Fairfield's issues with state and federal leaders. The delegation will meet with congressional leaders today.
'We are the messenger,' Timm said. 'The Air Force officials were very circumspect in what they want. They know the monetary issues, they're facing a deficit just like we are.'
Atop the lobbying priority list was the continuation of the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III military transports, both of which operate out of Travis.
For the complete story check out the Daily Republic Online
