Altus Chamber's MAC, presents first AETC Community Support Award to Columbus, Miss.

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Members of the Altus Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee presented the first Air Education and Training Command Community Support Award (Altus Trophy) at the AETC Symposium Jan. 20 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Altus Chamber's Military Affairs Committee has been developing this award with AETC for three years.

"Three years of work came together that morning," said Dr. Joe Leverett, Chairman of the Altus Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. "We presented at the opening ceremony in front of 3,000 troops. It was very gratifying and validated the importance of the award."

The City of Columbus was selected as the first AETC community to receive the Altus Trophy, sponsored by the Altus, Okla. Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee.

According to the Altus Chamber website, the award is presented annually by the AETC commander and the Altus Military Affairs Committee, to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby AETC base or unit in the spirit of cooperation for which Altus is well known.

"This award only restates what I have felt from the first moment I arrived," said Col. Barre Seguin, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, Columbus AFB, Miss. "That we have the best community support in the Air Force."

Eight AETC communities took part in the competition and according to Dr. Leverett, the competition was extremely close.

"All eight applications were really strong and especially between Columbus and Little Rock," Dr. Leverett said.

Some of the programs the City of Columbus were best known for in supporting Columbus AFB were: the Pilot Partner program, the Pilot for a Day program, providing financial and manpower resources for the Wings over Columbus Air Show and Open House, T-37 static display maintenance, administrative foundation for the Base Community Council, and "adoptions" of military family members for the holidays.

"This award has been earned by all of the citizens of Columbus and Lowndes County Mississippi," said Roger Burlingame, head of the Columbus Military Affairs Committee. "We are glad to have won but we would do it without the recognition. It gives us pride just knowing we play some small part in the preparation of those who serve and defend our great country."

"The trophy is a large cup on a base of oak and Oklahoma red granite, indicating the rock-solid support the community gives the base," Dr. Leverett said.