Military Affairs Committee Visits Goodfellow AFB Published April 23, 2026 By Airman 1st Class Maria Mota 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 17th Training Wing hosted a base tour for the Military Affairs Committee at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, April 21. Committee members toured the installation to better understand the wing's mission and how it supports the development of the next generation of airmen. The committee was recently formed as part of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and is composed of members from the San Angelo community, including civic leaders, military spouses, business professionals, and more. Members are active participants in cooperative agreements, working groups, and advocacy efforts that promote a better quality of life for active duty service members, retirees and their families. They lead several programs to promote recognition for military personnel and community members for their contributions. MAC members started the day at the Cressman Dining Facility, where incoming tech school students received their welcoming brief from wing leadership. Committee members observed the beginning of the careers of newly graduated Basic Military Training airmen and specialists. Members witnessed the training outside the briefing when they were taken to the Louis F. Garland Department of War Fire Academy. They were introduced to several phases of training that fire academy students undergo during their 68-day course. The next stop on the base tour was the intelligence schoolhouse, where committee members received a brief glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in developing the next generation of intelligence specialists. The base tour ended at the Norma Brown Wing building, where MAC members were taken to the wing conference room, where they had the opportunity to talk to Col. Norton about upcoming changes and priorities. Some main points brought forward in the meeting were improving on-base housing for service members, expanding the mission, and changes in the training for incoming students. Members were briefed on the vital role that Goodfellow AFB plays in our country’s national security and how their commitment to the Military Affairs Committee supports our service members and mission execution. Military Affairs Committee Visit Goodfellow AFB U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Norton, 17th Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th Training Wing command chief, welcomes incoming tech students at the Cressman Dining Facility, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, April 21, 2026. The welcoming brief introduces these students, who are recent Basic Military Training graduates, to the installation and the resources available to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Maria Mota) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Military Affairs Committee Visit Goodfellow AFB U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Hunter Larson, Louis F. Garland Department of War Fire Academy instructor, speaks to members of the Military Affairs Committee at the fire academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, April 21, 2026. MAC members were briefed on the numerous aspects that go into the training of future military firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Maria Mota) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Military Affairs Committee Visit Goodfellow AFB U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Norton, 17th Training Wing commander, speaks to members of the Military Affairs Committee at the Norma Brown conference room, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, April 21, 2026. The MAC members were introduced to several parts of the base to gain an insight into the work put behind the mission at Goodfellow AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Maria Mota) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res