Local governments, Laughlin sign ground breaking agreements

Published May 8, 2015
By Joel Langton
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The City of Del Rio, Val Verde County and Laughlin Air Force Base stepped into uncharted waters when they signed agreements signifying a closer working relationship.

While the entities have always worked closely together, these agreements formalize and document aspects of the public and private sector partnerships, also known as P4. All agencies explore cost-saving opportunities through partnerships and shared services.

"This is unprecedented, we've never done this before," said Col. Brian Hastings, 47th Flying Training Wing commander.

Signing the primary Team XL Community Partnership Forum was Hastings; Efrain Valdez, Val Verde County Judge; Robert Garza, City of Del Rio mayor; Dr. Carlos Rios, superintendent of the San Felipe Del Rio Combined Independent school district; Anthony Kusenberger, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce president and Kurt Lemp, Military Affairs Association president.

Hastings pointed out that today's signing wasn't an end, but a beginning as the communities work together to do things more efficiently.

"In these economic times, with Department of Defense dollar budgets shrinking, we have to do everything we can to keep Laughlin strong," said Valdez. "Our nation depends on it."

The first agreement was made that Laughlin members would be able to use the Val Verde County Sheriff's office firing range for training purposes.

Groups are spearheading a number of initiatives, and the community is excited about developing an aircraft maintenance program in the local junior college, said Lemp.

"Laughlin has a shortage of maintainers," said Kusenberger. "So if we are able to fill 66 of those empty positions, it will generate $2.5 million of payroll that much of will be spent locally. So this is the kind of win-win scenario this partnership is all about, Laughlin gets positions filled and it benefits our economy."

While the actual signing took a mere 17 minutes for four documents, it represented efforts that started in November, when representatives from the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Texas Governor's Office, Senators and congressmen, met with local agencies and Laughlin searching out cost saving initiatives.

Lt. Col. Chris Lundy, 47th Mission Support Group deputy commander, organized much of the efforts.

"The initiatives that we agreed to are just the start," said Lundy. "There are so many more in the works, as our communities work together to improve life for all of us."