Washington -- The Arnold Community Council held its annual “DC Fly-In” April 29 - May 1, meeting with U.S. Air Force leaders at the Pentagon and Congressional leaders and staff members at the U.S. Capitol.
During the event, the ACC delegation presented and discussed issues important to the 13-county Arnold Air Force Base community supporting Arnold Engineering Development Complex and partner agencies in the Major Range Test Facilities Base.
Lynn Sebourn, ACC vice president, along with ACC members Jim Jolliffe and Beverly Lee, led the delegation in meetings with U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. Three teams met with Tennessee’s U.S. Congressional members who represent the Arnold community including Tim Burchett, Scott DesJarlais, Chuck Fleischmann, Mark Green, David Kustoff and John Rose. The delegation also met with other Congress members and staffers including Dale Strong (Alabama), Julia Brownley (California), Steven Hosford (Nevada), Jay Obernolte (California) and Jamie Raskin (Maryland). Many of these individuals are also partners in the Congressional Range and Testing Center Caucus.
On May 28, the ACC delegation hosted a reception in the Capitol. With support from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the reception fostered open dialogue among many congressional districts. At the reception, the ACC was pleased to present a U.S. flag that had been flown over the Capitol to Tullahoma Utilities Authority President Brian Skelton. Skelton, who is moving to Alabama, was recognized for his many years of support to AEDC.
The ACC visited the Pentagon for small group discussions with key Air Force staff. The delegation addressed the potential public lease of AEDC property parcels, personnel recruiting, staffing and retention, and state-of-the-art technology development with accelerated testing and deployment of fielded weapon systems.
About the Arnold Community Council
The Arnold Community Council is a civic organization that supports Arnold Air Force Base and the Arnold Engineering Development Complex. ACC has 240 individual members representing civic, commercial and industrial entities in the 13-county region around Arnold AFB, Tennessee.
ACC supports awareness of AEDC by holding informational meetings with the Tennessee Legislature and Tennessee Congressional delegation as well as annual advocacy visits to the Pentagon and Capitol Hill; donating to quarterly and annual military award winners; donating to the annual AEDC Veteran’s Picnic and the AEDC Children’s Christmas Party; supporting the Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee and Wreaths Across America; and sponsoring receptions for visiting dignitaries. ACC is a Tennessee nonprofit corporation and an IRS 501(c)(6) organization.