9/28/09: Here are the  results from the citizen survey about Kirtland Air Force Base and the surrounding lands.

The Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) is overseeing a study that is a first-of-its-kind for New Mexico: one that takes an extensive look at Kirtland Air Force Base and the greater community.  The study includes not only the military base, but also the municipal airport, the Albuquerque International Sunport, in addition to other defense industries on base, such as Sandia National Laboratories and the Albuquerque Office of the Department of Energy.  The study area is broad, which is important considering the large number of stakeholders that are near-by, affiliated with, or impacted by the base.

Aerial refueling of a 58th Special Operations Wing CV-22 Osprey by a C-130 Hercules over New Mexico. Both aircraft are from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Hymas

The Kirtland Joint Land Use Study is funded by a grant from the Office of Economic Adjustment, U.S. Department of Defense. Such studies are done in states where a large military installation resides in close proximity to a growing urban population. The purpose of the study is to promote land use and economic development that is mutually compatible and beneficial to the military installation and the surrounding areas and communities. While the primary focus of the study is land-use, the scope of this particular study is quite comprehensive.  For example, this study will also look at transportation solutions as they relate to the base and the greater community.  An economic analysis will assess Kirtland's impact on the four county region.  

MRCOG hired Keystone International, Inc. to conduct the study. There will be numerous opportunities for public participation throughout the course of the study. The study is expected to be completed by March, 2010.

Why is the Kirtland Joint Land Use Study Important? 

By 2021, the greater Albuquerque-area population is expected to reach 1 million. With Mesa del Sol slated to bring in thousands of new homes just southwest of the base, it is crucial that proactive discussion occurs to minimize future conflicts between the base, business, and homeowners. Isleta is located to the South, and Forest Service land is located to the east. According to Kirtland AFB, Kirtland is one of the largest employers in the State of New Mexico (10,535 personnel employed, 9,655 total jobs in the community). According to Kirtland AFB, the economic impact of these activities (including Sandia National labs and Department of Energy) is approximately $8 billion annually, with an estimated $5 billion locally.

Kirtland's Complexity 

Kirtland is one of the most diverse military installations in the country.  Kirtland's diverse missions and partners include the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center; the 377th Air Base Wing; the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing; the Air Force Research Laboratory; the 58th Special Operations Wing; the 150th Fighter Wing, New Mexico Air National Guard; the Air Force Inspection Agency; the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 116; the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center; the Air Force Safety Center; the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 510 (University of New Mexico); the American Red Cross; the Area Defense Counsel; the Civil Air Patrol, New Mexico; the Defense Threat Reduction Agency; the Department of Energy; Detachment 1, 342nd Training Squadron, Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer Training School; the Distributed Mission Operations Center; the Kirtland Noncommissioned Officer Academy; the Missile Defense Agency; the National Atomic Museum; the Office of Aerospace Studies; Sandia National Laboratories; and the Space Development and Test Wing.  

A large number of agencies are contributing to this study, including: Albuquerque Economic Development, the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, the Village of Corrales, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Isleta Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, Kirtland Air Force Base, Kirtland Partnership Committee, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Mesa del Sol, the NM State Land Office, the Office for Military Base Planning and Support of the State of New Mexico, Sandia National Labs, Sandia Ranger District, Sandia Science and Tech Park, Sandoval County, Technology Ventures Corporation, Torrance County, the University of New Mexico, the US Forest Service, Valencia County, and the Village of Corrales, and others.

For more information, please contact Julie Heinrich ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).