This article is in Tuesday’s (February 20th, 2018) Herald and News

Written By: Stephen Floyd, H&N Staff Reporter 

Local military and government officials celebrated the bond the Klamath community has with Kingsley Field during a ceremony Monday recognizing the signing of a 50-year lease extension for the airbase.

On Thursday, the U.S. Air Force announced a lease had been signed by the City of Klamath Falls allowing the 173rd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard to remain at the facility through 2095.

Wing Commander Col. Jeff Smith said this is the longest non-permanent lease in the U.S. Air Force and a sign of the unique level of support area residents have for the airbase.

“It’s amazing to have a town that embraces us,” he said.

Unexpected request

Smith explained he did not anticipate extending the lease during his tenure as it was not set to expire until 2045. However, he learned federal funding for facility upgrades at the airbase would no longer be available within 25 years of the end of the lease, so he began talking with city officials about extension options.

Smith said the response he got was unexpected as city leaders asked what the maximum time was by which they could extend the lease. Smith said legally, they could extend it as much as another 50 years and a deal was struck to allow airbase operations for the next eight decades.

Smith said this level of support has been surprising to other military leaders, who are sometimes taken aback by how warmly veterans are received in Klamath Falls. He said, while some airbase leaders are used to receiving noise complaints about jets, Kingsley Field has the distinction of receiving more calls from people who want an increase in air operations.

“We are absolutely blessed to have this community be so supportive of us,” he said to the community.

Overwhelming support

Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall said support for the airbase from city employees and officials was overwhelming. She said the contributions of base personnel are “sincerely appreciated” and credited airmen with strengthening Klamath Falls through civic engagement.

“The citizens of this community are truly grateful for all the hardworking individuals who are here every day and who not only train to keep our community safe but also the entire country,” she said.

To commemorate their partnership, Kingsley Field presented city leaders with two framed pictures of F-15s in flight for display in City Hall.

Progressive leadership

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, was to be a featured speaker at the event, but his participation was canceled due to a vehicle collision on Highway 140 blocking access to Klamath Falls from Medford. (Walden’s vehicle was not involved in the accident that closed the highway for two hours).

Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris spoke on Walden’s behalf and read from a prepared list of remarks Walden planned to share.

“The lease extension really should be celebrated, as we all look forward to 77 more great years of partnership between Kingsley field and the city of Klamath Falls,” read Minty Morris.

Speaking for herself, Minty Morris credited Smith with the forward-thinking leadership needed to secure the lease and ensure continued base operations.

“Those leaders that truly take us unto the future are the ones that are thoughtful about what’s next and I want acknowledge that I don’t know if we’ve ever had a leader who does that for Kingsley in the way the Col. Smith does,” she said.

To read this article and others on the Herald and News website, please refer to the following link:

Soaring Support (H&N)