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17th TRW hosts new class of honorary commanders for first immersion

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

 The 17th Training Wing hosted the 2024-2025 class of honorary commanders for their first immersion providing exclusive insight on the mission, objectives and capabilities at Goodfellow AFB, Dec. 6. 

The immersion was the first event the honorary commanders have participated in since they were inducted into the program in early November.

The immersion began at the Cressman dining facility, where the honorary commanders had the opportunity to mingle with students and learn a little bit about the perspective of military life in the eyes of a student-in-training, before eating lunch.

U.S. Air Force Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander, briefs the 17th Training Wing honorary commanders on the history of Goodfellow and how community partnerships have benefited both the city and installation at the Norma Brown headquarters building, Goodfellow, Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. During these immersions, participants are allowed hands-on opportunities to see how the base runs from the lowest to the highest level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Community Partnerships and Unison: Honorary Commanders’ first immersion

U.S. Air Force Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander, briefs the 17th Training Wing honorary commanders on the history of Goodfellow and how community partnerships have benefited both the city and installation at the Norma Brown headquarters building, Goodfellow, Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. During these immersions, participants are allowed hands-on opportunities to see how the base runs from the lowest to the highest level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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Following lunch, the honorary commanders participated in a base-tour and were briefed on the 17th TRW mission by Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th TRW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Khamillia Washington, 17th TRW command chief. 

“Most Air Force bases connect each honorary commander to a specific squadron,” said Alicia Aguilar, Honorary Commander Program liaison. “Here at Goodfellow, we created a program at the wing level where the Honorary Commanders learn about the entire wing as well as the Air Force, our MAJCOM [Major Command] and our mission through immersions hosted by each group commander who shares their perspective.”

The Goodfellow Honorary Commander Program enables civic leaders to learn about the 17th TRW mission, the Air Force and the Department of Defense. It also facilitates partnerships between the community and the 17th TRW. 

During these immersions, participants are given hands-on opportunities to see how the base runs from the lowest to the highest level. Throughout their time in the program, the honorary commanders will compete in a point-based system graded on participation and engagement to be the best well-rounded ambassadors possible. The graduate with the most participation and engagement at the end of the program receives the “Distinguished Graduate” award as well as valuable knowledge they gained along the way.

The goal of the Honorary Commander Program is to create lasting partnerships while familiarizing current and future community leaders with the base and its mission. 

For more information about the 17th Training Wing Honorary Commander Program, visit https://www.goodfellow.af.mil/Honorary-Commander/.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Travis Perkins, 315th Training Squadron instructor, answers questions for 17th Training Wing honorary commanders at the MiG-29 trainer at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. The MiG-29 is a Soviet-era twin-engine fighter aircraft and is used to enhance training on base. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Community Partnerships and Unison: Honorary Commanders’ first immersion

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Travis Perkins, 315th Training Squadron instructor, answers questions for 17th Training Wing honorary commanders at the MiG-29 trainer at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. The MiG-29 is a Soviet-era twin-engine fighter aircraft and is used to enhance training on base. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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17th Training Wing honorary commanders listen to the 17th Training Wing wing mission brief during the Honorary Commander Immersion at the Norma Brown headquarters building, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. The honorary commanders attended the first of five immersions to experience the mission of the 17th TRW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Community Partnerships and Unison: Honorary Commanders’ first immersion

17th Training Wing honorary commanders listen to the 17th Training Wing wing mission brief during the Honorary Commander Immersion at the Norma Brown headquarters building, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. The honorary commanders attended the first of five immersions to experience the mission of the 17th TRW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
J.R. Orlando, 17th Training Wing chief of Public Affairs, briefs the 2024-2025 class of Honorary Commanders on the origins of the program at the Cressman dining facility, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. The immersion started at the Cressman, where the honorary commanders ate lunch and got to chat with students in training—getting the students' perspective of military life and residing at Goodfellow. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

Community Partnerships and Unison: Honorary Commanders’ first immersion

J.R. Orlando, 17th Training Wing chief of Public Affairs, briefs the 2024-2025 class of Honorary Commanders on the origins of the program at the Cressman dining facility, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2024. The immersion started at the Cressman, where the honorary commanders ate lunch and got to chat with students in training—getting the students' perspective of military life and residing at Goodfellow. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res