WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- From intelligence analysis to developing the next generation of technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base showcased its spirit of cohesive mission collaboration for a congressional staff delegation during a visit, Feb. 27, 2026.
The visit provided a bipartisan group of Congressional staffers for members of the House Armed Services Committee, initiated by U.S. Rep. Michael Turner’s office, a firsthand look at how the base’s diverse units work together to support U.S. strategic priorities.
For Jason Galanes, senior advisor for Rep. Turner, seeing this teamwork in person is essential for effective legislative oversight.
“It is critical that members of Congress and senior staff who oversee national security programs and defense budgets have an in-depth understanding of the missions and capabilities at Wright-Patterson and its federal partners,” said Galanes.
The day's agenda was designed to showcase the installation's integrated missions. Briefings demonstrated how threat assessments from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and National Space Intelligence Center provide a critical starting point for the enterprise, informing technology advancement and development at the Air Force Research Laboratory and acquisition programs at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The Air Force Institute of Technology, in turn, serves as the educational pipeline, cultivating subject matter experts who go on to lead and execute these interconnected missions.
Joe Herrmann, NASIC chief of staff, who led the staff delegation through a series of mission briefs, emphasized the importance of showing this process firsthand.
"When we host our congressional partners, it provides them a direct window into the incredible work performed across Wright-Patt every day," said Herrmann. "It’s an opportunity to move beyond reports and show them firsthand how intelligence discoveries at NASIC not only inform key policy decisions but also integrate seamlessly with efforts at AFRL and the program offices at AFLCMC. This visit validates the essential role Wright-Patt personnel play throughout the national defense enterprise."
This level of real-time cooperation, Galanes noted, is a strategic necessity designed to prevent the information gaps of the past.
“This was clearly demonstrated by the failures of intelligence sharing that resulted in the September 11th attacks,” said Galanes. “We now have the capability as well as the shared mission to cooperate and collaborate in real time to assess what our adversaries are doing, what vulnerabilities our adversaries seek to exploit, and how best to respond and neutralize both. To just understand red team or blue team loses the ability to see all the players on the field.”
As a hub of Air Force intelligence, research, innovation and acquisition, tours such as this one highlight key areas of interest to congressional staff, educating and informing them on the role of Wright-Patterson in the defense of the nation.
The visit made clear that the common denominator behind every success story at the base is the dedication and professionalism of its workforce.
“I enjoy working with the outstanding men and women who have dedicated their careers to the missions executed at Wright-Patterson and its partner agencies,” Galanes said.
This shared focus on the workforce captured the ultimate purpose of the visit, a sentiment echoed by NASIC leadership.
“Hosting visitors on our turf gives us an opportunity to demystify how the Wright Patt missions work together to break down information barriers, create advantage for DAF decision makers, and ultimately increase warfighter effectiveness,” said Herrmann. “At the end of the day, the human connections and our collective expertise are the magic of Wright-Patt.”