HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base leaders met with state officials and technology experts here June 15 to discuss partnerships supporting military missions across Massachusetts, including at Hanscom AFB.
The 90-minute meeting served as an opportunity for more than 20 representatives from acquisition directorates, the 66th Air Base Group, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, or MASS-TF, to receive updates and exchange information on ongoing initiatives.
“Massachusetts has a long history of supporting the nation’s defense mission through innovation, technology and strong partnerships,” said Jeremy Thiele, deputy program executive officer for Cyber and Networks. “Meetings like this help ensure we continue working together to strengthen military readiness.”
The agenda included Hanscom AFB-specific updates; task force initiatives; an open discussion focused on workforce hiring, artificial intelligence, and partnerships; and an update on the strategic real estate memorandum of agreement signed in March.
“The collaboration between Hanscom and our state partners creates opportunities that benefit the Air Force, the Commonwealth and the communities we serve,” said Col. William Collins, deputy program executive officer for Electronic Systems. “By working together on workforce development, emerging technologies and mission support initiatives, we can better position ourselves for future success.”
The MASS-TF is a state-led organization focused on protecting, modernizing and expanding military missions, defense-sector investments and jobs across Massachusetts.
The group works closely with military installations, state agencies and congressional representatives to enhance mission capabilities and improve quality of life for service members and their families.
Discussions included ongoing collaboration with state agencies, industry partners and educational institutions that help advance technology development and strengthen operational capabilities.
Ben Linville-Engler, the deputy director and chief investment strategist for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and a Hanscom AFB representative for the Air Force Materiel Command’s Civic Leader Program, highlighted new opportunities for the state to collaborate with the defense sector through the Massachusetts Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense, or SHIELD, initiative.
“We are trying to align the state’s technology ecosystem to better meet Department of War needs,” he said.
Participants also reviewed ongoing civilian hiring efforts at Hanscom, including regional outreach initiatives designed to attract highly skilled professionals to support acquisition, sustainment and installation missions.
Attendees included Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security Jason Snyder; Massachusetts Assistant Secretary for Communities and Programs Juan Vega; Adam Freudberg, MASS-TF executive director; Navjeet Bal, MassDevelopment president and CEO; Col. Alan Louie, senior materiel leader for the Aerial Networks Division within the Department of the Air Force’s Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management portfolio; Randy Robertson, 66th Air Base Group deputy director, and others.