The Air Force Civic Leader Program is an Air Staff Level program who membership is comprised of respected community leaders selected from the Air Force major commands, National Guard Bureau and Headquarters Air Force.

Minot Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Brekka Kramer recently learned of her appointment to this prestigious committee that lists its members as “key communicators and advocates for Air Force issues.”
These civic leaders provide ideas and feedback to advise the Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Air Force senior leaders about how missions can best be accomplished in their respective areas and about public attitudes toward the Air Force and Air Force activities in their area.

Brekka Kramer, Pete Hankla, Randy Burkhardt and Bruce Christianson serve on a similar group, the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leaders Group. Mark Jantzer is also emeritus on this group.

“This year there was an opportunity for the major (Air Force) commands to nominate somebody” according to Kramer “so for us it’s an opportunity to have the discussions about what matters to AF Global Strike command, and what matters for our local community and nuclear deterrence modernization projects and have a seat at the table with some of the key leaders in Washington, D.C.” Kramer also feels this is the perfect time as there is a change in leadership. “We’re talking Air Force, Space Force and the National Guard” continues Kramer “this was a great opportunity to have someone from North Dakota sit on this civic leader’s program, understand our priorities for Air Force Global Strike Command and the command we are under, and how do we educate and advocate in this space.”

The members of the AF Civic Leaders program serve as a civilian interface between the Air Force and the civilian community in this role. Air Force Civic Leaders are tasked to explain and interpret Air Force programs, positions and problems to other key communicators through personal contact and correspondence, and to the general public through statements, appearances and speeches. These outreach efforts can be in the form of speeches, articles and local, regional, state and national activities. Both current and Emeritus civic leaders serve as Air Force advocates and provide support to Airmen and their families through their outreach efforts.

“My first engagement with this group will happen in mid-February in Washington, D.C.” shares Kramer “we will have some orientation, learn more about what the expectations are, and as I understand it is very similar to the role that we play with Global Strike, but at the larger Air Force, Space Force and National Guard level.”
Kramer sees her opportunity as part of a tiered representation that starts with Task Force 21 and moves up to the Global Strike Civic Leaders group and at an even higher level this Air Force Civic Leader Program.

“We take General Bussiere’s priorities, which he has clearly communicated to our wing commanders and us as civic leaders, and we make those our priorities. General Bussiere has really tasked us with the education and advocacy side because we are modernizing our full nuclear force right now, and we have some major projects underway. So even at our Task Force 21 symposium in Washington D.C. this past year he asked us to talk to people. People have to understand the importance of nuclear deterrence and the role that we play in it. He made a bold enough statement that Where Minot goes, the Air Force goes…Where Minot goes, the nation goes. It just puts a focus on the role Minot and Minot Air Force Base plays with 2 legs of the nuclear triad” shares Kramer.
Brekka Kramer’s role will involve her representing Global Strike Command, but on a larger stage, to be educated about all of the priorities of the Department of Defense and of course Air Force, Space Force and National Guard. “We will have a voice at the table to talk about Air Force Global Strike Command, the nuclear enterprise and the important role that we play there.”

Kramer sees the role as a 2-way street “We’re going to listen to the priorities of the Secretary of the Air Force, and we’ll also be communicating out our priorities and really understanding what our (Global Strike Command) role is. Even since I’ve served as AF Global Strike Command leader it’s changed…depending on the time, what we are up against, and what we need to do as civic leaders to educate and navigate. Right now, within AF Global Strike Command we’ve been tasked with doing more. This year we will host our 14th annual Nuclear Triad Symposium in Washington D.C. That event has grown. We’ll continue to educate and hopefully reach a broader audience. Last year we brought the Nuclear Triad Symposium to Minot because we needed to bring the information to our own state about the role that Minot Air Force Base plays in protecting the world. How do we as local leaders and statewide leaders understand that role. Military is big in North Dakota, and we need to get our message out. We take our role (as educators) very seriously.”

More information about Brekka Kramer’s appointment and expectations is certainly forthcoming.