Ohio Steps Up to Lead
Ohio made a decisive move for America’s future on June 2, 2025. Governor Mike DeWine and Brigadier General Jason Bartolomei, head of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, signed a memorandum of understanding that locks in a dynamic partnership. This agreement binds Ohio’s innovation hub to the Air Force’s mission, prioritizing breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and semiconductors.
Why does this matter to everyday Americans? These technologies protect the nation and drive economic growth. In a world where rivals like China push for tech dominance, Ohio’s commitment ensures the United States stays ahead. The partnership builds on a legacy starting with a 2007 MOU, leveraging Wright-Patterson’s history as an aviation research powerhouse.
This isn’t just about defense contracts. It’s about creating jobs, strengthening communities, and securing a competitive edge. Ohio’s choice reflects a clear-eyed view: technological leadership is non-negotiable in today’s high-stakes global landscape.
Tackling Real Challenges With Bold Action
The global tech race is relentless. China’s quantum communication networks and homegrown operating systems signal its ambition to lead. Meanwhile, 2024 exposed U.S. supply chain weaknesses, with 30 percent of defense program delays tied to single-source reliance. Ohio’s renewed AFRL partnership confronts these issues directly, investing in resilient supply chains and domestic innovation.
The agreement outlines clear goals: modernized facilities, expanded job opportunities, and a robust STEM workforce. A 2025 TechLink study found that similar DoD collaborations delivered $23 billion in economic impact. Ohio’s plans for university outreach, internships, and veteran training programs promise similar results, fostering both security and prosperity.
Some advocate redirecting funds to clean energy or public health, arguing these better serve equity. Yet, without a strong defense foundation, those investments lack stability. Ohio’s focus on AFRL collaboration balances immediate security needs with long-term economic gains, proving both are achievable.
Staying Ahead in a Tense World
Global threats aren’t easing. The Heritage Foundation’s 2024 defense budget urged a 3 percent spending hike to counter inflation and deter China. Ohio’s MOU aligns with this, funneling resources into AI-powered drones and hypersonics—tools that keep adversaries in check. The Pentagon’s 2024 autonomy guidelines ensure these systems are both ethical and precise, maintaining human control.
History warns against complacency. The Cold War showed that technological lag, like the Soviets’ decline, cedes global influence. Today, China’s Five-Year Plans target AI and biotech supremacy. Ohio’s AFRL partnership counters this, driving innovations that secure America’s leadership for decades.
Certain groups push for heavy regulation or reallocating defense funds to social programs, citing ethical risks. But robust oversight, like the DoD’s AI principles, ensures responsible progress. Hesitation only hands rivals the advantage. Ohio’s bold stance prioritizes victory in a competitive world.
A Model for the Nation’s Future
Ohio’s approach sets a national example. Global alliances like AUKUS bolster AI and cyber defenses, but Ohio’s state-federal model—rooted in local talent—stands out. The FY 2025 NDAA’s supply chain rules, emphasizing AI analytics and domestic sourcing, align with this vision. Other states would be wise to emulate Ohio’s strategy.
This partnership looks beyond today. By training engineers and expanding infrastructure, Ohio secures America’s tech edge for generations. The VICEROY Symposium’s collaboration with 40 universities demonstrates this model’s success, building pipelines for cyber and engineering talent.
Ohio’s MOU with AFRL embodies a commitment to strength and opportunity. It rejects calls to divert resources, recognizing that security underpins prosperity. By championing defense innovation, Ohio paves the way for an America that leads, innovates, and thrives. That’s a legacy worth building.