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Safeguarding Our Freedom

Protecting America’s freedom is the global role of the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue. The social and economic impact of Offutt and other military units is impressive. Offutt’s annual economic impact on the community is reported at more than $2 billion.

Offutt is also home to the “Fightin’” 55th Wing of the Air Combat Command. The 4,000-acre base employs more than 10,000 military and civilian personnel, making it the largest employer locally. USSTRATCOM supports three primary lines of business operation: Space, Cyberspace and Strategic Deterrence. Other missions and subordinate units align with these three important areas to provide intelligence, surveillance, planning and network and information operations expertise to U.S. forces around the world.

Its presence has enhanced Omaha’s ability to recruit defense contractors and space-related industries to the area, among them Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. Our defense industry contractor presence has grown from 1,200 jobs in 2002 to 3,600 in 2009, representing more than 50 companies.

In April, USSTRATCOM and the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association hosted the inaugural 2009 Cyberspace Symposium at Qwest Center Omaha. Speakers from the Department of Defense, U.S. and allied government, industry and academia shared their perspectives about cyberspace capabilities. Speakers included Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander USSTRATCOM; and Scott Charney, corporate vice president of Trustworthy Computing for Microsoft. Military, government, industry and academic thought leaders examined different approaches to recruit, train, develop and retain cyber expertise and leadership.

To attract additional interest in Omaha, a contingent led by representatives of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership participates each year in the Space Symposium, a national gathering of space and defense contractors and related businesses. And, each October, Omaha hosts the Strategic Space and Defense Conference, which in 2008 drew more than 2,000 people.

“Greater Omaha is home to a diversified set of industries,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “With these economic components in place, along with the growing significance of USSTRATCOM, Greater Omaha is well positioned to support vital military missions.”

A POWERFUL Partner

Since 2002, the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 170th Group has been providing critical support to Offutt Air Force Base and its 55th Wing. “Day to day, you have Air National Guard members integrating directly with active members, doing the exact same mission. Often times, it’s a seamless integration between the two components,” said Col. Mark White, commander of the 170th Group.

One of the group’s key assignments is flight training for RC-135 aircrew personnel, potentially freeing up active duty instructors for operational missions. In addition, the 170th provides operational support, assisting with intelligence, weather forecasting, weapons and tactics, base operations and aviation resource management. Air National Guard members also deploy. “Every day that an Air National Guard member does a deployment, that’s a day a highly-deployed, active duty member doesn’t have to,” explained Col. White.

The 170th Group currently consists of 80 Air National Guard members. “The Air Force has recognized the good that’s happened in the seven years since we started operating,” said Col. White. “There are initiatives out there that would increase our size, possibly by another 50-60 personnel.

“Many of our traditional—part-time—members bring a technical expertise from a civilian employer or leadership experience that creates an invaluable synergy with their military duties,” said Col. White. “In this way, the citizen airman serves in a way that enriches our communities and is vital to our nation's defense. The way traditional Air National Guard members balance military duty, a second career and their families in order to serve their country is truly heroic and certainly exemplifies the Air Force’s core value of ‘service before self.’”

After 33 Years of Flying, Landing in Omaha

Want an interesting read? Try taking a glance at Bob Hinson’s bio. “I flew airplanes, primarily bombers and was involved in a variety of space command missions for a number of years in different assignments.”

Hinson served in the U.S. Air Force for 33 years, retiring in 2003 as a highly decorated, lieutenant general. During his tenure, he amassed an impressive resumé: vice commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs; deputy commander- in-chief of USSTRATCOM at Offutt Air Force Base; and chief of the Strategic Nuclear Policy Branch on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

And, this is only “Chapter One” of his professional biography.

“Chapter Two” begins with Hinson and his wife returning to Omaha in 2003. During Hinson’s military service, he and his wife moved 26 times, finally landing in Omaha. “When I was getting ready to retire, I interviewed with several different companies and got an offer from Northrop Grumman for a position they were trying to fill in Omaha,” said Hinson. “There were opportunities to go other places, but we were comfortable with this location. We felt like Nebraska was a good place for us to settle.”

Northrop Grumman Corporation, the largest defense contractor in Nebraska, has more than 700 employees in the Omaha area. Hinson is the corporate lead executive for the Nebraska region. “My job is to ensure that USSTRATCOM and the other military folks here are aware of the capabilities we offer as a company and what we can do to help them with their missions.”

The former command pilot said he is grateful to have a job that keeps him connected to the military, but that’s not what he considers the most rewarding part of his Northrop Grumman experience. “It’s being in a great community. This is a great place for our employees to live, work and raise their families. Midwestern values are very important to our company; ethical behavior and values are the cornerstone of what we do and this community represents the very best.”

He became involved with the Greater Omaha Chamber about four years ago and currently sits on the board of directors. “When I retired and came back to this area, I wanted to be more involved and more connected to what’s going on. I found that the Chamber was a great way to be a part of the outstanding things happening in the community.“