Offutt hosts Governors' Homeland Security Advisors

  • Published
  • By Chad Watkins
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  

The National Governors Association Governor’s Homeland Security Advisors Council conducted an immersion at Offutt Air Force Base, Sept. 17, 2025.

The GHSAC is comprised of governors’ appointed homeland security advisors for each state and territory and serves as a forum to share information and expertise, discuss priorities setting and collaborate on strategic planning to address all hazards and threats facing states and territories. 

“I am grateful that our great state of Nebraska had the opportunity to host this conference,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “The work performed by these homeland security advisors has significant bearing – not only for the states they represent, but for our nation as a whole. Being able to collaborate with each other and involve Offutt, the finest air base in the nation, is critical. I’m proud that I and the representatives from my administration who work directly on homeland security issues, were able to be part of this meeting.”

The members of the GHSAC received mission briefs from Col. Aaron Gray, 55th Wing commander; Col. Patrick Hook, 95th Wing deputy commander of operations; Lt. Col. Eric Miller, 557th Weather Wing chief of staff; and Maj. Gen. Matthew Barker, USSTRATCOM mobilization assistant to the deputy commander.

“Anytime that we, as an installation, get to make a meaningful connection with other communities, it is a win for everyone,” said Gray. “I look forward to bragging to these other states about how well the State of Nebraska takes care of the Offutt community.”

The top priorities for members of the GHSAC include cybersecurity, school safety, critical infrastructure protection, natural disaster and extreme weather response, and preventing targeted violence. In support of addressing these priorities, NGA coordinates monthly plenary calls, twice annual in-person convenings, writes policy memos and provides ongoing support and technical assistance. 

“The fact that we can take an afternoon and sit down together, we can find the gaps and overlaps of our respective missions and work to strengthen both programs,” said Barker. “I have seen the value of what these security advisors do for their states and communities. Their mission nests very elegantly with the strategic deterrence mission that we do globally in defense of America.”