Base cashes in on BRAC build-up

FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) - The massive amount of moves is enough to make your head spin, but 272 truck loads and 1,277 new jobs later, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base appears to have come out ahead when it comes to the Base Realignment and Closure program.

"Those are people eating in our restaurants, shopping in our retail outlets and people who are purchasing homes, so I think it's a win at the Miami Valley," says Daniel France, who directed BRAC for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

2 News got an inside look at some of the major missions moved to Wright-Patt by BRAC.

They've led to new buildings filled with things like hyperbaric chambers, and a centrifuge, which, once its finished, will simulate the forces crews feel when they're flying.

The new missions have helped Wright-Patt become a place of mind over matter.

"It is an intellectual jewel," says Thomas Wells with the 711th Human Performance Wing. "When you consider the disciplines that are here it is pretty unique."

Officials say that intelligence influx is a tribute to the time people spent selling the area to those whose jobs were moving here from places like Arizona and Texas.

More than normally do decided to make the switch.

"I think it was a huge community support effort that went out to some of these locations and really marketed the fact Dayton is a wonderful place to live and work," France says.

Those with the base say Wright-Patt did as well as anyone when it came to making BRAC work. They hope that will pay off when it comes to bringing even more missions and jobs to the base.

"We probably will see another round of BRAC," Wells says. "I can't imagine Wright-Patt being closed, but I can imagine more missions moving here or a few missions moving out."

Some of the jobs created by BRAC are still available. Visit usajobs.gov to apply.