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Montgomery’s Military Missions Take Center Stage at Chamber’s Washington Brief with Montgomery River Region’s Wing Commanders
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (October 8, 2026) – From fifth-generation fighter aircraft and the next generation of military aviation training to the families and workforce supporting those missions, Montgomery’s role in national defense was front and center during the Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce’s latest Washington Brief: A Conversation with the Montgomery River Region’s Wing Commanders.
Moderated by 2026 Chamber Chairman Robert Birmingham, the event brought together regional business and community leaders for a discussion on military readiness, infrastructure investments, workforce development, quality of life and the partnerships essential to sustaining and growing the region’s military missions.
The conversation featured three commanders representing distinct missions critical to national defense:- Colonel Michael L. Gallucci, Commander, 42nd Air Base Wing and Installation Commander, Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex
- Colonel John D. Caldwell, Commander, 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard
- Colonel Shane M. Devlin, Commander, 908th Flying Training Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base
Each commander provided an update on their respective missions and the opportunities ahead for Montgomery’s military installations.
Colonel Gallucci highlighted the 42nd Air Base Wing’s responsibility for supporting more than 42,000 military personnel, civilian employees, contractors, students, and family members across Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. With Air University and numerous mission partners relying on the installation, Gallucci emphasized the importance of modernizing infrastructure and maintaining the momentum behind Montgomery’s military growth.
Colonel Caldwell discussed the 187th Fighter Wing’s continued advancement of its F-35A Lightning II mission at Dannelly Field. Following a highly successful operational inspection, the wing is focused on strengthening fifth-generation fighter capabilities and preparing for emerging technologies, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Caldwell emphasized the importance of continued infrastructure investment to position the 187th for future missions and expanded capabilities.
Colonel Devlin shared progress on the 908th Flying Training Wing’s transition to the Air Force’s MH-139A Grey Wolf Formal Training Unit. The wing is preparing to welcome its first student class in January 2027, with training production expected to increase approximately 40% over the next four years. Devlin also highlighted Montgomery’s potential to compete for additional mission-related opportunities as the MH-139A program develops.
Community Investment Strengthens Military Readiness
Throughout the discussion, the commanders reinforced the connection between military success and the support of the surrounding community.
Birmingham highlighted strategic regional investments, including improvements to the joint-use runway at Montgomery Regional Airport, the Maxwell-Capital Gateway project, the Department of the Air Force Strategic Real Estate Opportunities Memorandum of Agreement and the Military Installation Resilience Review.
Gallucci pointed to improvements along Washington Ferry Road and Maxwell’s preparations to support FEMA emergency response operations as examples of how coordinated investments benefit both military readiness and the broader community.
The commanders agreed that continued collaboration among military leadership, government, businesses, and community partners will be essential to securing future missions and maintaining Montgomery’s competitiveness as a defense community.
Workforce, Families, and Quality of Life Remain Top Priorities
Beyond infrastructure and technology, the commanders emphasized that military readiness ultimately depends on the people behind each mission.
Caldwell highlighted the growing demand for technically skilled personnel capable of operating and maintaining sophisticated military aircraft. He encouraged regional leaders to strengthen educational pathways and workforce development programs that prepare young people for military service and technical careers.
Recruitment and retention were also central to the conversation. Devlin shared that the 908th Flying Training Wing has achieved a 94% second-term retention rate, reflecting both the wing’s internal culture and the support service members receive from the Montgomery community.
Gallucci reinforced the importance of military families, sharing a familiar Air Force principle: “We recruit Airmen, and we retain families.”
The commanders identified access to quality education, healthcare, childcare, military spouse employment, and professional licensing as factors that directly influence recruitment, retention and mission readiness.
For military families relocating to Montgomery, particularly those attending Air University for shorter assignments, a welcoming community and access to essential services can make a lasting difference.
A Great American Defense Community: More Than a Designation
Montgomery and the River Region’s recognition as a Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities was a significant point of pride throughout the discussion. The national designation recognizes communities demonstrating exceptional commitment to supporting military installations, service members and their families.
Colonel Gallucci emphasized that the recognition reflects the collective efforts of the entire region and should not be taken lightly. “That is recognition at the national level for the work that this community has done,” Gallucci said. “It is a gigantic deal.”
Colonel Caldwell encouraged community leaders to view the designation as more than an accomplishment, emphasizing the responsibility to maintain the standard it represents. “I think we should look at that as a standard as opposed to just an award,” Caldwell said, reinforcing that continued investment in military families, community resources, and quality of life is essential to sustaining that recognition.
Both commanders stressed that military installations and the communities surrounding them are deeply connected. Service members and their families live in local neighborhoods, attend schools, work for regional employers, participate in youth sports, and contribute to the region’s economy.
“There is no us and them when it comes to the community. We are part of the community. You are part of the community,” Gallucci said.
Caldwell also reflected on his experiences serving at installations where community support was less visible, emphasizing the direct impact that support has on military readiness and retention. “You can have the best people, you can have the best airplanes, but if you don't have a supportive community, readiness will decline,” Caldwell said.
The commanders' remarks reinforced that Montgomery’s Great American Defense Community designation is not simply recognition of past accomplishments. It represents an ongoing commitment to ensuring military personnel and their families have the resources, opportunities, and community support necessary to thrive.
Continuing the Chamber’s Commitment
As the conversation concluded, Birmingham emphasized that the missions represented during Washington Brief extend far beyond the River Region, making the community’s continued support essential to national security.
The Montgomery Regional Chamber remains committed to working alongside military leadership, elected officials, businesses, and regional partners to strengthen infrastructure, advance workforce development, improve quality of life, and advocate for the resources necessary to sustain and grow the region’s military missions.
Montgomery’s Great American Defense Community designation is both a point of pride and a commitment to continued action, ensuring the region remains a place where military missions succeed and the people behind them thrive.
Your Mission. Our Honor.
View & Download Digital Media Here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD74mD
Watch Full Conversation Here: https://youtu.be/epkbKKU4mRY