ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Altus Air Force Base welcomed 27 Southwest Oklahoma community members into the honorary commander program during an induction ceremony at Altus Air Force Base, March 24, 2017.
After a formal introduction and dinner at the Freedom Community Center on the installation, more than two dozen civic leaders participated in a civic assumption of command ceremony presided over by U.S. Air Force Col. Todd Hohn, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander.
“I want to extend the Mighty 97th’s sincere thanks to all of our community leaders who have recently served as honorary commanders and welcome all of our new honorary commanders and their families and friends for joining us to celebrate this occasion,” said Hohn.
The new honorary commanders joined their active duty host commanders on stage to present their unit guidon together to the audience. Mr. Brian Bush, honorary Wing commander and CEO/President of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, said this event was particularly special, in that this is the first step of a program that provides the unique opportunity for citizens to see more of what the U.S. Air Force has to offer to everyday citizens.
“What an unbelievably humbling experience to be asked to serve as an honorary commander for the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB,” Bush said. “It has even greater meaning to receive this honor from Col. Todd Hohn, a friend and leader I deeply admire and respect.”
The program was established in June 2001 to match local civic leaders to a group or squadron and given the title of “honorary commander.” This helps to reinforce the already strong bond between the base and members of the community and increase community members’ awareness of the mission of Altus AFB. Additionally, the honorary commander program provides valuable local contacts for military leadership on base. This program has been very successful over the past years in educating the community and creating bonds between the base and the surrounding population.
“We always talk about Altus Air Force Base being a special place, where great Americans of the community go to remarkable efforts to take care of ‘their Airmen’ and ‘their Air Force Base’ and welcome us as members of their family,” said Hohn. “This is a place where patriotism is just part of the fabric of everyday life, where words of support are only surpassed by unrivaled hospitality and outreach.”
The honorary commanders will be invited to a variety of wing events and unit functions throughout their two-year tenure. They will get the opportunity to understand more about the work at Altus AFB, what the individual squadron and organizations accomplish, and how they affect and support the larger mission of the U. S. Air Force. They will participate in tours of installation facilities and observe the Airmen’s day-to-day operations. The honorary commanders will then share these experiences with the larger community, so more people will get to know what Altus AFB is all about.
Tiphanie Hamon 97th Maintenance Division honorary commander shared her enthusiasm regarding the program and its people. She said this is a remarkable way for the public to meet and share their story with the Airmen at Altus AFB. “Most citizens in the area don’t have access to the base, much less with the members stationed there,” said Hamon. “But with this program, we are building a bridge of friendship.”
And it will help to bridge any gaps between Air Force commanders who leave the base during the honorary commander’s term. The new military commander can benefit from the knowledge carried over by the honorary commander.
“I look forward to sharing our community with the men and women of the Mighty 97th, and in turn, connecting my community with the mission of Altus AFB,” said Hamon.
The honorary commanders themselves represent a full range of community connections, including business, educational, non-profit, municipal and professional organizations. This allows more of the community as a whole to be represented.
Mr. Bush reiterated the importance of the honorary commanders learning all they can and taking that information back to the community – to maximize the sharing of the U.S. Air Force story. “I pledge to make you proud, and I look forward to serving the outstanding men and women of the Mighty 97th,” said Bush.