U. S. Air Force Chief of Staff Tours Crane Innovation

By: Matt Craig
Director of Crane Community Support

Acknowledgment of Crane’s prowess in innovation and military technology reached new heights this week with a visit from General David Goldfein, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. Gen. Goldfein is the highest-ranking officer in the Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young, and Congressman Trey Hollingsworth hosted Gen. Goldfein Jan.8 on his first ever visit to Crane for tours of several laboratories and a regional stakeholder luncheon. The visit signifies an important opportunity for Crane to showcase its work, and with its continually increasing support of U.S. Air Force programs; there is the increasing potential for an Air Force presence at Crane.

Technology developed at Crane serves every branch of the U.S. Military and its programs provide the platforms to answer some of the most critical issues facing national security today, including those related to air, ground and submarine-launched missiles and electronic warfare, which is essential in removing the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) faced by our men and women in combat. During the visit General Godfein commented, that Crane should “never underestimate the importance of its culture of innovation.”

The lunch program for Gen. Goldfein focused on “innovation ecosystems,” which is Crane’s proven methodology to capitalize on our state’s assets to assist in the development of new technology and initiatives. Through state and regional partnerships, Crane brings together thought leaders from a broad spectrum of public and private sector experts, state defense agencies, universities, and regional partners such as Radius Indiana, Regional Opportunity Initiatives, and the newly formed, Applied Research Institute.

This regional approach means that not only are the best and brightest minds at work to solve some of our nation’s greatest challenges, but that there is a wide range of resources and organizations at work to ensure Crane has the infrastructure, workforce and support it needs to complete its missions. This network of partners has helped create the now nationally known innovation culture that exists right here in Southern Indiana, and has demonstrated it is committed strengthening the ecosystem.

Radius Indiana applauds the efforts of those at Crane and all of the regional stakeholders who made Gen. Goldfein’s visit a success–our region was again able to shine in a national spotlight and reinforce Crane’s value, which helps keep this important asset a thriving part of our local economy.

Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support

---

Connect with us