Official Base Retention Coalition for EAFB

Edwards vital flight test missions would not be possible without access to the outstanding and expansive airspace that surrounds the base. This R-2508 restricted airspace stretches from Bishop to Edwards Air Force Base and from Tehachapi to the Nevada State line. The shape of our ECA logo symbolizes this vital flight testing complex. 

ECA Board Consists of Community Representatives

ECA Formation

In June 2001, Kern County received a California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency grant of $50,000 to prepare an action plan to preserve and protect EAFB missions. A second $50,000 was granted in June 2002.

The Edwards grants required formation of an Edwards Community Alliance, with participants from communities, organizations, and individuals, with a stake in its success. The Aerospace Office was contracted to facilitate formation of the Alliance.

Under State law, Kern County is recognized as the “single local retention entity” for EAFB, and will continue to serve in that capacity.  Kern County provides oversight through its Community and Economic Development Department.

In the early stages, Kern County wisely structured ECA’s Articles of Association to provide for a transition in governance from The Aerospace Office to a community—based Board of Directors.  That goal was realized in June 2003 with the election of ECA officers. The Alliance Board of Directors has 16 members: 2 each from California City, Lancaster, Tehachapi, Boron, Mojave, and Rosamond; and Kern and Los Angeles Counties.

Initial ECA meeting on January 24, 2002 at Lancaster City Hall. (Attendees from left) Dennis Davenport (Lancaster), Bob Johnstone (Aerospace Office), Guy Greenlee (Kern County), James Welling (Kern County), Phil Brady (Aerospace Office), Bill Deaver (Mojave), Tom Weil (California City), Tom Wardlaw (Rosamond), Jay Sprague (California City), and Carol Lawhon (Tehachapi). Photo by: Ron Brady (Boron)

ECA Focus on Four Core Missions

ECA views the preservation of EAFB and the R-2508 airspace as its long-term commitment -- beyond BRAC-2005. In this post-BRAC period, ECA continues its focus on these four core missions:

• Education Project

• Land-Use Compatibility Project

• Base Promotion & Advocacy

• Base Mission Watch.

Two of these core missions are special projects for ECA during 2006:

• Bob Johnstone and Dr. Les Uhazy lead the Education Project.

• Tom Weil heads the Land-Use Compatibility Project.

CALED Award of Excellence to Kern County and ECA

The California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED) has presented a “GRAND PRIZE, Award of Excellence” in their “Economic Development Programs” category to Kern County.

The Edwards Community Alliance, a multi-jurisdictional, nonprofit association of residents, business persons, and government officials was formed and tasked with implementing "The Future is Now!", a plan to retain and expand Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB). At stake are over 28,000 aerospace and defense jobs within Southern California's Antelope Valley and the economies of 13 cities and communities within Kern and Los Angeles counties. To date the Alliance has thwarted the proposed out-of-state relocation of 4,200 jobs-an economic value of $300 million; created the Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology Consortium to locally train much-needed scientists and engineers; and championed local ordinances to protect EAFB resources from encroachment. The Consortium and ordinances are the first of their kind in the State. The plan promotes EAFB as a cost-effective military asset essential to national defense: a response to Congress' 2005 round of military base realignments and closures.

ECA Accomplishments

1. Established the Edwards Community Alliance with representatives from each community surrounding Edwards Air Force Base, Kern County and Los Angeles County. This was a first! Each organization previously worked unilaterally on Edwards issues.

2. Formalized an organization under the Kern County Community and Economic Development Department oversight. Developed Articles of Association.

3. Elected a 16-member Board of Directors from the representatives of each community adjacent to Edwards Air Force Base.

4. Established an ECA committee structure to conform with the core missions of base retention, education, land-use compatibility, and base advocacy.

5. Provided informational briefings to community leaders and civic groups explaining the purpose of the Alliance and the need to be proactive toward the next round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities.

6. Implemented a regional "Aerospace Valley" Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology Consortium to reduce the engineering and technician shortfall and make area businesses more competitive. The Consortium has been successful in advocating and supporting pre-engineering curriculums in 3 high schools (Lancaster, Highland, and Tehachapi) and a middle school (Highland) and is working with additional schools.

7. Established a virtual laboratory between Joe Walker Middle School and NASA Dryden which allows students to use real-time data from NASA test programs.

8. Introduced local school administrations to the nation-wide Project Lead the Way pre-engineering program. Briefed schools on the program and arranged meetings between school administrators and Project Lead the Way leadership.

9. Took a leadership role in Project Lead the Way and NASA Dryden agreement for Project Lead the Way to develop a specific aerospace curriculum for nation-wide use. NASA will provide funding and expertise to develop the program.

10. Continuing work with NASA Dryden, CSU Fresno and Bakersfield and Antelope Valley Community College to prepare a NASA grant proposal to establish a postgraduate research institute in the Aerospace Valley.

11. Researched Edwards Air Force Base and its tenants capabilities, capacities, and contributions to meeting the Department of Defense's (DoD) future requirements as defined in Joint Vision 2010 and 2020.

12. Prepared a strategy for the future of Edwards Air Force Base.  Recommended new compatible missions, increased workload, and DoD consolidations. Compared recommendations with DoD BRAC guidelines.

13. Hired a Washington consultant to research BRAC initiatives and recommend appropriate actions.

14. Working with China Lake and Point Mugu community representatives to prepare a regional defense consolidation plan.

15. Prepared a National Science Foundation grant request to establish a Center for Intelligent Vehicles. This Center will be headed up by the University of Kansas with support from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Carleton University, Fresno State University, and Antelope Valley Community College.

16. Initiated a fund raising program to support Alliance efforts.

17. Prepared and distributed an informational brochure on the Edwards Community Alliance

18. Received CAL-ED “GRAND PRIZE, Award of Excellence.”

19. Established an ECA website.

20. Applied to Kern County Board of Supervisors for special funding for ECA  since grants ran out and sponsorship donations were far below funding needs. Supervisors awarded $35,000 to ECA for fiscal year 2004-2005.

21. Launched an Advisory Committee with 11 high-profile community leaders to act as an advocate of the Alliance and its military and political lobbying, community outreach, publicity, and fund raising goals.