Bridging Airpower and Agriculture: Altus Airmen Connect with Local Producers

Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing participated in an Airpower and Agriculture Tour throughout Altus, Oklahoma, on Nov. 5, 2026, to gain firsthand insight into the region's agricultural industry and enhance relationships with the local community.

The tour provided an opportunity to explore the operations and businesses that contribute to the region's economy while gaining a better understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that local producers face.

Since agriculture plays a significant role in southwest Oklahoma's economy and culture, the tour aimed to bring together two industries central to the region, giving military and civilian leaders the chance to exchange perspectives and better understand each other's missions.

"I think the tour creates an opportunity to connect two industries that are incredibly important to southwest Oklahoma but don't always get the chance to interact," said Charlcey Plummer, FMC Corporation field sales representative. "It also helps to build relationships and a better understanding of what each brings to our region."

The off-base excursion began at the Lake Altus-Lugert Dam, where a representative from the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District discussed the importance of water management and irrigation in supporting agricultural production throughout the region, as well as how the dam directly impacts the mission on base.

Participants then visited a crop-dusting facility, where they received an overview of aerial agricultural applications and cotton harvesting machinery. The visit highlighted the equipment and technology local farmers use to maintain agricultural operations.

The group continued to a cotton gin, where they learned about the cotton ginning process, before visiting a warehouse to gain insight into the storage and distribution of one of the region’s largest agricultural exports.

To encourage conversations between military and community leaders and foster a greater understanding of the industries that support the region, the tour culminated in an agricultural industry roundtable, where local farmers and industry representatives discussed the challenges and economic significance of agriculture in southwest Oklahoma.

“Learning how farmers and community partners cooperatively manage water resources and mitigate risk resonated with me and reinforced that community is a collection of neighbors that care about each other,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Jacobson, 97th Mission Support Group commander. “Challenges such as water availability, airspace encroachment, and economic uncertainty are risks that are mutually shared by the community and Altus AFB Airmen. Understanding those shared concerns strengthens our partnership and helps us cooperatively support the wing’s long-term mission success.”

For Altus AFB, maintaining strong relationships with the surrounding community plays an important role in supporting Airmen and their families. Events like the Airpower and Agriculture Tour give Airmen a broader understanding of the community beyond the installation in Mobility’s Hometown.

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