Leadership Albuquerque participants visited Kirtland Air Force Base on January 15 to explore the intersection of energy and national defense. The day began at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce boardroom, followed by visits to the Air Force Research Laboratory and Phillips Space Conference Center on Kirtland Air Force Base.

David Campbell, chair of Leadership ABQ and executive director of the Lobo Development Corporation, welcomed attendees to the program's "Energy and National Defense" day. He emphasized New Mexico's significant role in these sectors due to its national laboratories and military bases.

Campbell highlighted New Mexico's diverse energy resources, stating, "The Chamber’s policy position has long been that we should be aggressive in trying to produce more and more of all of those energy sources." He introduced Lisa Goodman and Kelsey Martinez from PNM who discussed modernizing the electric grid under New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act.

Jeremy Oswald from Citizens Bank introduced Dylan Connelly from Affordable Solar, who spoke about solar energy production in New Mexico. Patrick Killen from Chevron was also present for a discussion on oil and gas revenues. Oswald noted, “Oil and gas production is responsible for more than 40 cents of every dollar of state revenue.”

In the afternoon, Col. Jason Okumura facilitated briefings with various military units including the 377th Air Base Wing and Sandia National Laboratories. Participants toured facilities such as the 58th Special Operations Wing Hangar.