Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force
The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force was created in 2012 to protect and expand missions, jobs, and economic investments at and surrounding Massachusetts' military installations. Housed within the Office of the Governor and supported by the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassDevelopment, the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force coordinates among the state's military facilities to maximize their efficiency.
Massachusetts Military Installations
Massachusetts is home to six military installations with more than $13.2 billion in total economic activity and support for more than 57,600 jobs.
Barnes Air National Guard Base
Barnes Air National Guard Base, located in Westfield at the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, hosts the 104th Fighter Wing and Army rotary wing assets. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable tactical fighter that provides 24-hour protection for the northeastern United States. The Air National Guard maintains Barnes’ highly-trained, well-equipped, and motivated military force to provide combat-ready F-15 aircraft and support elements in response to wartime and peacetime tasking under state and federal authorities.
Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA)
Devens RFTA, located in Ayer, Devens, Harvard, and Lancaster, provides training facilities and training support to enhance the readiness of reserve component units in New England. Devens RFTA supports civilians and military personnel from the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, National Guard, FBI, and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and at least 35 tenants at the reserve forces training area support nearly 3,000 personnel.
Hanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom Air Force Base occupies 846 acres within Bedford, Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln and is adjacent to L.G. Hanscom Field, a Massachusetts Port Authority owned and operated civil airport that serves as a corporate reliever for Boston Logan International Airport. While both facilities share the “Hanscom” name, it is important to note that the base and the field are two separate entities. Hanscom AFB is home to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Digital and Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, and Networks Directorates, along with the 66th Air Base Group; the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Integration Directorate; the Massachusetts National Guard Joint Force Headquarters; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory; and the Lantern: Hanscom Collaboration and Innovation Center. The Program Executive Office for Presidential & Executive Airlift headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, also has a significant presence at Hanscom AFB.
Joint Base Cape Cod
Joint Base Cape Cod, located on 22,000 acres within Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich, is home to five military commands, including the Massachusetts Army National Guard at Camp Edwards; the Massachusetts Air National Guard at Otis Air National Guard Base; the 253rd Combat Communications Group, also at Otis Air National Guard Base; the 6th Space Warning Squadron phased array radar site at Cape Cod Air Force Station; and the U.S. Coast Guard at Air Station Cape Cod. These military commands work to protect the land, sea, and air of the northeastern United States.
Natick Soldier Systems Center
Natick Soldier Systems Center, known as Natick Labs, is the U.S. Army’s center for soldier-related research and development. The installation is responsible for technology research and development; engineering; field-testing; and systems to support soldiers in combat, including human-systems integration, food, clothing, and shelter. The NSSC also has specialized expertise in parachute design and airdrop systems.
Westover Air Reserve Base
Westover Air Reserve Base, in Chicopee, is a joint-use military and civilian airport which hosts the 439th Airlift Wing and supports the mission of the C-5M Galaxy and civilian aviation activities. Strategically located in the northeast in close proximity to Europe and NATO alliances, the Base has played a prominent role in every major contingency requiring strategic airlift. It is the nation’s largest Air Reserve Base in area, and supports reservists from 34 states who travel to Westover to serve in the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Reserve units.
Task Force
Co-Chairs
Members
Major General Gary W. Keefe
Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard
Brigadier General Joeseph Morrisey
Commander of the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts
Brigadier General Mark Kalin
Commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard
Secretary Yvonne Hao
Executive Office of Economic Development
Secretary Lauren Jones
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Secretary Rebecca Tepper
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Assistant Secretary for Career Education Bob LePage
Executive Office of Education
Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz
Executive Office of Administration and Finance
Secretary Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Secretary Terrence Reidy
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Secretary Kate Walsh
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Secretary Jason Snyder
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Secretary Jon Santiago
Secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans' Services
Dan O'Connell
Acting Executive Director & President/CEO, MassDevelopment
Edward Freni
Interim CEO MassPort
Carolyn Kirk
Executive Director, Mass Tech Collaborative
Marty Meehan
President, University of Massachusetts, Higher Education Sector
Julie Chen
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, UMass Lowell
Senator John C. Velis
Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
Representative Gerard Cassidy
Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
Senator Ryan C. Fattman
Massachusetts Senate Appointed by Minority Leader
Representative David T. Vieira
Massachusetts House Appointed by Minority Leader
Massachusetts Innovation Bridge
Created in partnership with the Commonwealth and MITRE, the Massachusetts Innovation Bridge connects local businesses, nonprofits, and academic institutions with federal opportunities. Through the Innovation Bridge, federal agencies will create new relationships with academic institutions, thought leaders, established companies, and with companies that previously did not work with the federal government. Together, they will discover new ideas, products, and services to enhance federal agency missions. The collaborative workspace will also give Massachusetts companies, higher education institutions, and nonprofits access to new federal business opportunities.
