Base and community garner viability through partnership

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jesse Lopez
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS, Okla. - --  Altus Air Force Base and the city of Altus signed the Air Force Community Partnership Initiative, an outline which installation and community leaders can cultivate innovative ways to influence their capabilities and resources to reduce costs and risks by finding common value.

"I think this is going to further solidify the relationship we have with the base," said David Webb, Mayor of Altus. "We've had a great working relationship with the base for years and this just gives us another avenue to keep that communication line open and allow us to continue to work together."

The conference took place at the Western Oklahoma State College Southwest Technology Center during the 'P4' initiatives - public-public and public-private partnerships Way Ahead meeting. The ACPI meetings will take place on a quarterly basis and will consist of the Steering Committee, a team of eight personnel to include the mayor of Altus, the chairman of Altus Military Affairs Council and the 97th Mission Support Group commander. Also in attendance will be representatives from the Secretary of the Air Force Installation and Environment office to act as facilitators for the meetings to ensure their joint efforts sustain momentum and issues are approached for new perspectives.

"Our field team travels to different Air Force bases to facilitate a series of meetings that encourage community partnership between bases and local entities to help bring their cooperative initiatives to fruition," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Patricia Pettine, Secretary of the Air Force installations office partnership broker. "We're fostering news of thinking and practicing the art of the possible to leverage needs and resources for mutual benefit."

The signing agreement for 'P4' initiatives between Altus AFB and the local community began with Altus participating in the Air Force Community Partnership Initiative as part of a prototype for the program along with 16 other bases in fiscal year 2013.
Participants will work in breakout groups to provide input and further develop the following partnerships:

- Sharing resources
- Enhancing Training
- Expedite emergency respond programs
- Improve environmental resources
- Consolidate facilities and labor

Working groups will report to the steering committee during the quarterly meetings to provide feedback and receive further guidance on how to execute the cooperation successfully.