Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation | 11
laboration between growers and retailers.”
STRATEGIC SUPPORT
An economic analysis of Fairbanks wouldn’t
be complete without reference to military
matters, and again, this is an area of both
professional and personal concern of Jim
Dodson. Long before assuming leadership
of the EDC, Dodson served in the United
States Army and was a member of the 5th
Special Forces Group who fought in Viet-
nam. He presently holds advisory board po-
sitions with organizations that include Chief
of Staff of the Air Force’s Civilian Advisory
Board, the Governor of Alaska’s Military
Force Advocacy & Structure Team and the
State of Alaska Aviation Advisory Board.
Dodson’s experience, training and ongoing
interaction with those in military circles in-
fuses a unique respect for those who serve to
protect our national interests, but in terms of
how these personnel contribute to the com-
munity’s economic vitality, that’s a matter
that prompts particular concern, especially
now that sequestration and defense budget
cuts are posturing to potentially impact this
area where as much as 38 percent of the pay-
roll comes from military earnings.
To put that in perspective, one might
consider remarks once made in 1935 by U.S.
General Billy Mitchell (the esteemed Father
of the Air Force) who said, “I believe that in
the future, whoever holds Alaska will hold
the world. I think it is the most important
strategic place in the world.” Those visionary
comments were greatly validated in World
War II, an era that saw increasing intent to
control Pacific transportation routes. Since
that time, the military has maintained a
strong presence here, primarily through op-
erations at Eielson Air Force Base which is
home to the 354th Fighter Wing, a unit of
the Eleventh Air Force tasked with Pacific
