Base commander meets with Shoshone-Paiute tribes Published Aug. 1, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE, Idaho -- On July 18, Col. James Browne, 366th Fighter Wing commander, met with Chairwoman Nancy Egan and other tribal council members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation to sign the newest Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement between base and the tribes regarding the use of the land and air space supporting the ranges around Mountain Home Air Force Base. According to the agreement, the MOU forms "a consultative relationship in order to coordinate activities on lands and airspace utilized by the United States Air Force to which the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes have demonstrated geographic, cultural, historical, or other ties." "We want to continue being good neighbors and partners with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes," said Colonel Browne. "Ensuring we preserve their culture and environment is just as important to us as maintaining the air space and training ranges surrounding the reservation." The MOU also states that base and tribal leadership will meet regularly to "cultivate a strong working relationship to consult on cultural and natural resource management issues on lands and airspace utilized by MHAFB." "The tribes live right next to the ranges and underneath portions of the air space we use for training," said Col. Jeffery Maxwell, 366th Mission Support Group commander. "So, it's very important to make sure we continue to have positive, open relations with the tribal council."