Yuma Airport Director Outlines Military Partnership, Workforce Plans
Yuma International Airport Director Gladys Diva Brown spoke on What’s Up Yuma? Radio on December 1, 2025, detailing the airport’s role in supporting military operations, local air service, and regional economic activity. Her remarks on community engagement and workforce development highlight how airport strategy could shape jobs and business opportunities across Yuma County.
Gladys Diva Brown, known also as Brown Wiggins, joined the What’s Up Yuma? Radio program on December 1, 2025 to discuss the present and future of Yuma International Airport. The conversation, which runs approximately 35 minutes, covered her personal connection to Yuma, a career in aviation, the airport’s military partnership NYL, and plans aimed at strengthening local air service and regional economic activity. The station’s page includes an audio player and episode details for residents who want to listen.
Brown framed the airport as a multi purpose asset for the community, supporting military operations while also serving commercial and general aviation. That dual role matters for local budgets and business strategies because military partnerships can bring steady federal activity and infrastructure investment, while reliable civilian air service supports tourism, freight movement, and business travel that local employers depend on. The episode emphasized community engagement and the ways the airport coordinates with local stakeholders to balance operational needs and neighborhood concerns.
Workforce development emerged as a central theme. Brown discussed leadership and mentorship within airport operations, and the airport’s interest in creating pathways into aviation careers. For a county that relies on sectors sensitive to transportation costs and labor availability, targeted training programs and stronger ties between the airport and educational institutions could expand skilled employment and reduce hiring frictions for local employers.
Policy implications for Yuma County include prioritizing investments that leverage the NYL partnership to attract federal and private funding, aligning local workforce programs with aviation and logistics jobs, and maintaining open channels between the airport, municipal planners, and nearby communities to manage land use and noise effects. For residents and businesses wanting the full discussion, the radio episode is available on KAWC’s site where the audio and episode details are posted.
