Soaring Above: The Military-Civilian Partnership at Pease
The incredible story behind one of America's most successful military base redevelopments unfolds in this fascinating conversation with Paul Brean, Executive Director of the Pease Development Authority, and Brigadier General Bill Davis, Commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
When Pease Air Force Base faced closure in 1992, the Seacoast region braced for economic devastation with 4,800 jobs at risk. Fast forward three decades, and what emerged instead is a thriving dual-purpose facility that's become an economic powerhouse while maintaining its strategic military importance.
"We've created a viable commercial endeavor that has economic impacts in the billions to both the seacoast and the state," explains Brean, highlighting how the tradeport now hosts 250 companies employing 11,000 people—nearly double the original base employment. From pharmaceutical innovation at Lonza (developing a genetic cure for Type 1 diabetes) to defense manufacturing at Sig Sauer, the diversity of businesses has far exceeded expectations.
The military mission remains equally impressive. The 157th Air Refueling Wing operates 12 state-of-the-art KC-46 Pegasus aircraft, making Pease one of just 19 air refueling wings in the Air National Guard. "Our location in the northeast and our proximity to refueling tracks, and also the routes over to Europe and the Middle East, make us a prime location for operating this type of mission," General Davis explains. This strategic importance is reflected in Portsmouth's DOD control tower ranking among the top 10 busiest in the entire system.
The commercial airport has found its niche too, serving 100,000 passengers annually through carriers like Breeze Airways and Allegiant, offering convenient and affordable alternatives to larger airports. The public can experience this unique military-civilian partnership firsthand at the upcoming Thunder Over New Hampshire Airshow (September 6-7), featuring the Blue Angels and extensive STEM exhibits.
Experience this remarkable success story yourself—visit Pease International Tradeport to see how visionary planning transformed potential economic disaster into a thriving ecosystem benefiting both national defense and the local economy.
