Altus AFB inducts Honorary Commanders

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Franklin R. Ramos
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 97th Air Mobility Wing hosted an Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony Jan. 26, 2015, at Club Altus. During the ceremony, local community members and business leaders were appointed as Honorary Commanders.

Being an Honorary Commanders gives them opportunity to learn about the wing's mission and the men and women who support it.

"It is an amazing opportunity to foster support between the Jackson County community and Altus Air Force Base," said Kenny Scarle, 97th AMW Public Affairs chief of civic outreach. "This program is a unique chance for the civilian public to learn first-hand about the dynamic mission of the Mighty 97th, while allowing them to get to know the commanders and personnel of Team Altus."

The ceremony is held every two years in which the 97th AMW commander assigns new Honorary Commanders to 26 positions across the wing.

"The impact an honorary commander has on a unit is largely through sharing information about the community and establishing a relationship primarily with the commander, and also with personnel within the groups and within the squadrons," U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Finch, 97th Operations Group commander. "Through those interactions, and becoming a trusted confidant of the assigned commander, you can share a lot of experiences together that benefit both the military side and the civilian side. I would say that is the greatest benefit."

Nikki and Tyler Kilhoffer, Westside Animal Clinic veterinarians, were selected to be the Honorary Commanders of the 97th Security Forces Squadron.

"I feel honored," said Nikki. "We're excited to be part of the base and we've already spent some time with our squadron, so we're really excited to be with the Airmen and get them involved with the community."

Honorary Commanders participate in their unit's events to get integrated into the team while also taking part in wing quarterly events that focus on the wing's heritage, mission and Airmen.

"I think it's exciting to have the fellowship and really get the people on base into the community and let them know many exciting things Altus has to offer," said Nikki. "Altus is a small town, not as exciting as some big cities, so just getting people paired up together lets us know what's going on on base and lets them know what's going on in our community."