COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 14th Flying Training Wing welcomed its newest honorary commanders during a ceremony on August 9, 2024, at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.
The Honorary Commander Program provides local community leaders the opportunity to get an inside view of the day-to-day operations of CAFB, while connecting Airmen with the community.
The program pairs community leaders with specific unit commanders, immersing them with Air Force culture and strengthening the relationship between CAFB and the community.
Over a period of approximately two years, honorary commanders are connected and engaged with their military units and serve as a bridge between the military and the community. Through the program, honorary commanders and their units create bonds, attend events and enhance professional development through skill and knowledge exchanges.
Dr. Ruben Burch, Associate Vice President for Research and Associate Professor in Industrial & Systems Engineering at Mississippi State University provided remarks during the event as the honored guest speaker. Dr. Burch is responsible for the offices of Research Development and Technology Management and directing the Athlete Engineering and Advancements in Manufacturing Upskilling program efforts at Mississippi State University. He is an Associate Professor in Industrial & Systems Engineering, the endowed Engineering Entrepreneurship chair, and an Associate Director for the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. Through his research team, Athlete Engineering, he has achieved over 100 publications, approximately 40 awarded patents, and has brought the university and the state of Mississippi over $26 million in research funding.
This year, 15 new honorary commanders were inducted:
Matthew Bogue – Col. James Blech, 14th Flying Training Wing commander
Meryl Fisackerly – Col. Jon Cato, 14th Flying Training Wing deputy commander
Bryan Farrell – Col. Nicholas Lofthouse, 14th Flying Training Wing Operations Group commander
Dr. James Martin – Col. Francisco Catalá, 14th Flying Training Wing Medical Group commander
Jammie Garrett – Maj. Joseph Suwabe, 14th Comptroller Squadron commander
Ryan Munson – Lt. Col. Marc Meier, 14th Operations Support Squadron commander
Bryant Bean – Lt. Col. Jerry Rives, 14th Student Squadron commander
Brandon Shaw – Lt. Col. Peter Hince, 37th Flying Training Squadron commander
Stephanie Jones – Lt. Col. Kathleen Brown, 41st Flying Training Squadron commander
Dr. Richard Heard – Col. Tom Collins, 43rd Flying Training Squadron commander
Fields Ferguson – Lt. Col. Eddie Altizer, 48th Flying Training Squadron commander
Amber Brislin – Lt. Col. Richard Martin, 49th Fighter Training Squadron commander
Mary Ann Briggs – Lt. Col. Nicole Jansen, 50th Flying Training Squadron commander
Dr. Clear Moore – Maj. Dustin Heideman, 14th Communications Squadron commander
James Ervin – Maj. Marshal Neubauer, 14th Force Support Squadron commander