Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Meeting of Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force

Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Meeting of Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force 

Governor elevates Congressional delegation, Lieutenant Governor as Co-Chairs of Task Force dedicated to protecting and expanding missions, jobs and investments at Massachusetts’ military installations 
 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll hosted members of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force for a meeting at the State House that featured an update on Massachusetts’ six military installations and a discussion of recent and upcoming Task Force activities. Governor Healey serves as chair of the 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.  

Massachusetts’s military installations include: Barnes Air National Guard Base, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA), Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Westover Air Reserve Base. These bases generate more than $13.2 billion in total economic activity and support for more than 57,000 jobs in Massachusetts. 

The U.S. Department of Defense has recently recognized the strength of Massachusetts and military missions in the state. A recently released report listed Massachusetts in the top 10 states for defense contract spending across the United States. In December 2024, the Secretary of the Air Force formally selected Barnes Air National Guard Base to receive the new F-35A aircraft, cementing the presence of the Air Force in Western Massachusetts for the foreseeable future. In addition, the Air Force also identified Hanscom Air Force Base as the sole location to host the Air Force’s new Information Dominance Systems Center, along with additional jobs and led by a new three star general officer.   

“One of the greatest opportunities the Lieutenant Governor and I have had in office is meeting service members and visiting our military installations,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our military installations play an incredibly important role in our state: as leaders in national defense, as regional economic drivers, and as places where young men and women learn and grow in their military service and become leaders. In many ways, they are the keepers of our deepest legacies in Massachusetts, around service and self-government. We’re proud to be convening this Task Force to advance the mission of our state’s military installations and discuss how our administration can support economic development in and around our military bases.” 

“As the proud daughter of a Navy veteran, I grew up with a deep understanding of and respect for military service. That’s why I’ve visited each of our six military installations to meet with base leaders and community partners and learn about their key missions up close,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to working with all levels of government on identifying opportunities to support the people, infrastructure and mission needs of the military installations in Massachusetts.”   

As chair of the Task Force, Governor Healey elevated Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation to serve as co-chairs. At the meeting, Governor Healey also appointed four additional members from higher education and the defense industry to the Task Force: UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, Northeastern Senior Vice Provost Dr. David Luzzi, MITRE Senior Principal Katie Enos and General Dynamics Vice President and General Manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems Dr. Laura Hooks.  

Additional members of the Task Force include: Healey-Driscoll administration cabinet secretaries, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard Major General Gary W. Keefe, Commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard Brigadier General Mark Kalin, Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard Brigadier General Joseph Morrissey, State Senator John Velis, State Senator Ryan Fattman, State Representative David Vieira, President and CEO MassDevelopment Navjeet Bal, Mass Tech Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk, and Massport CEO Richard Davey.  

“For centuries the men and women of the commonwealth have been there for Massachusetts to assist with natural disasters, security threats and armed conflict,” said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force is focused on ensuring our service members have the tools and training to meet any challenge. Through collaboration with our military organizations and partners from Business and Educational institutions the Task Forces is committed to providing critical resources to our troops to guarantee mission success.”

“The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force has an important role in enhancing the operational efficiency and economic impact of our state’s military installations,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “Strengthening collaboration between the military installations, businesses and academic institutions safeguards vital investments while expanding opportunities for growth and innovation. This Task Force is one example of the many ways we support our military and underscores our deep commitment to national security, local job creation and strong community partnerships.”  

“Massachusetts takes pride in ensuring our military installations provide real opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “These bases shape the next generation of leaders and help veterans transition to civilian life. By fostering these connections, we show our deep gratitude for our veterans and their sacrifices.” 

“Massachusetts’ military installations drive significant economic activity across our state, creating jobs as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and investment with local industry and academic partners,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The Executive Office of Economic Development and our partners at MassDevelopment are proud to support the Task Force as it works to protect and expand jobs and investments here in Massachusetts.” 
 
“MassDevelopment is pleased to support the work of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “As the state’s development finance agency and land bank, MassDevelopment understands the importance of our military installations to our economy and has worked to partner with and strengthen bases across Massachusetts.” 

In the last 10 years, the federal government has invested nearly $1 billion in capital construction at Massachusetts military installations, including over $300 million for MIT Lincoln Lab, $37 million for the Hanscom Air Force Base Child Development Center, and $18.5 million for the barracks addition at Natick Soldier Systems Center.  

The Task Force holds bimonthly calls focused on Massachusetts installations and national perspectives, as well as quarterly working group meetings. Lieutenant Governor Driscoll participated in the October 2024 working group meeting held at Natick Soldier Systems Center.