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Randolph welcomes 15 new civilian honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By Sean Bowlin
  • 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Randolph AFB welcomed 40 civilian Honorary Commanders from surrounding areas with an annual hail and farewell reception, Sept. 10. This is the twelfth consecutive year of the nearly 80 year-old program.
The Honorary Commander program pairs local leaders in medicine, business, law, religion and municipal governments with Air Force leaders. The program allows Air Force leaders to get a pulse on the civilian community's concerns, while simultaneously helping civic leaders gain further understanding of missions, policies, programs and people of the 12th Flying Training Wing.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. J.R. Williams, local insurance agent and six-year veteran of the Honorary Commander program, said it keeps him current with the state of the Air Force today.

"It's allowed me to stay in touch," he said. "I also enjoy the camaraderie when I join in the events held by the 99th Flying Training Squadron."

At the reception, Team Randolph welcomed 15 new leaders while bidding farewell to the 15 who completed the program.

Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, congratulated new and former honorary commanders. She said the relationship between Randolph and communities around the base has been a positive, mutually supportive one.

She also said the goal of the honorary commander program is to strengthen ties between both entities through mutual understanding of the military, its mission and surrounding communities.

"Community support has always been important to the Air Force, especially now with Army and Air Force support functions merging under Joint Base San Antonio," the colonel said.

During the next 12 months, Air Force leaders at Randolph will invite their honorary commander counterparts to attend unit functions, dinners, receptions and other events. In reciprocation, civic leaders will invite their military counterparts to company outings, chamber of commerce get-togethers, civic association dinners and business parties.

Lt. Col. Dave Cox, 99th FTS commander, is the military counterpart to Mr. Williams and Marv Abrams, San Antonio chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., honorary commander.
The colonel said the program provides a critical link between the military and civilian communities.
He said as a Tuskegee heritage squadron, the 99th FTS is privileged to host many Tuskegee heritage events.

"Our honorary commanders have been an integral part of the process," Colonel Cox said.