Ivey offers Alabama military's voice in D.C. Published Sept. 4, 2012 By Rebecca Burylo Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. - -- Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, presiding officer over the Alabama State Senate, expressed her support of Alabama military bases at the Air Force Association's annual Community Partnership Day luncheon Aug. 22 at the Maxwell Club. The luncheon brought together camo and suits as businesses, non-profit organizations and Maxwell celebrated their communal partnerships and learned how they could better serve each other under the Military Stability Commission. Ivey expressed support of the 908th Airlift Wing to remain at Maxwell and pled with those in the room to put a stop to the practice of base closings. She proposed they instead follow a new direction under the MSC, which was created in May 2011. Ivey is the chairwoman of the commission, which has representatives from regions of the state with a military presence and provides those areas with a voice within the state government to influence decision makers in Washington, D.C. "It's designed to support ongoing efforts by your local regions, not to compete, not to get in your way, not to do anything except enhance your activities and also be sure that we have a way to favorably impact the DOD influences in Washington, D.C.," said Ivey. The commission will work to sustain military missions while complementing local community endeavors and will be funded mainly through the private sector, Ivey said. She said such a plan where state leaders are positioned within Washington, D.C. and can speak on the behalf if military instillations to the Department of Defense and the Pentagon would prevent certain decisions like the recent attempt to remove the 908th Airlift Wing. The lieutenant governor thanked those at Maxwell for the work that they do every day and the support they have given toward the River Region. They are a vital asset to the defense of the United States and she hopes they will become partners within this commission, Ivey said. "Those of us civilian in the community are real proud of Maxwell and Gunter and just appreciate our military family coming here to serve and doing what you do," said Ivey. "We just appreciate it a bunch."