ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 97th Air Mobility Wing commander recognized the 29th inductee into the Friends of Altus program at Club Altus, June 26, 2025.
Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th AMW commander, presided over the event and presented the award to Gary Jones, Altus city manager, in front of base leaders, civic partners, and members of the community.
Established in 1995, the Friends of Altus tradition honors local civilians who have demonstrated exceptional support to Altus Air Force Base and its mission. The title is considered the highest recognition a 97th AMW commander can bestow upon a community member.
“Gary is the kind of person every community hopes for, someone who doesn't ask what's in it for him, but what more he can do,” said Marshall. “His work is visible in roads, buildings, but more importantly, it's felt in relationships, interests, and in the lasting partnership between the city of Altus and Altus Air Force Base.”
Jones has spent years in public service, including time as Oklahoma State Auditor, chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, and a county commissioner. Now serving as Altus City Manager, he’s been a key part of several city projects focused on making Altus a better place for military families to live and work.
Under his leadership, the city revived a long-stalled housing development on Veterans Drive, now known as The Trails, by identifying creative funding solutions after federal grants fell through. He also led critical infrastructure efforts directly impacting the base, including construction of long-planned detention ponds to address on-base flooding and upgrades to the Falcon Road water line and improvements to the road itself.
“Since I graduated high school, I have wanted to serve my country,” said Jones. “Thank you, after 50 years of being out of high school, for giving me the opportunity to serve my country.”