Partners In Excellence Published Nov. 18, 2024 By 2nd LT Douglas Armstrong 14th Flying Training Wing COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Col. Scott Ryder, 14th Mission Support Group commander, presented Caledonia Elementary School with the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award at Caledonia Elementary School, Caledonia, Mississippi, Nov. 14, 2024. The Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award, awarded by the Military Child Education Coalition, honors impactful partnerships and initiatives that benefit military-connected children. Columbus Air Force Base, Caledonia Elementary School and the Student 2 Student organization at Liberty Middle School collaborated to establish two Little Free Libraries, a free book exchange program designed to reduce barriers to education and bolster literacy opportunities for families. “One of our main priorities at CAFB is to continuously improve our strong connection with the community,” said Ryder. “Working together to improve the quality-of-life of our Airmen, their families and the community is vital for our mission to Train World-Class Pilots.” The libraries are available to approximately 590 military-connected students and 2,000 surrounding community students in the local area. “Ensuring we’re taking care of our students is essential,” said Amber Meiborg, 14th Flying Training Wing school liaison officer. “Military families move around quite a bit which can disrupt academic progress, and sometimes it can take a while for their household goods to arrive with all of their learning materials. Being able to trade or share books without having to buy them is crucial.” Awarded annually, the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award can recognize a single project involving collaboration between a military installation and one or more school districts, or it can highlight the overall program between a military installation and the school districts serving it. “We are honored to receive this award and are proud of all the hard work of our team and the community,” said Ryder. “We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the quality of life of our Airmen, as CAFB’s vision says, Better Every Day!” The Little Free Libraries are located at the entrance to Caledonia Elementary School and at the Blaze Commons on Columbus Air Force Base.