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Ambassadors of DAFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashlin Federick
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Since January 2011, Team Dover's Ambassador Program has successfully provided manpower for community members to tour the base facilities and learn about the mission here.

The program allows for service members of all ranks from Team Dover the opportunity to escort members from other bases, the local community, distinguished visitors and local and national visitors.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Bravo, 436th Aerial Port Squadron passenger service operations NCO, said the ambassador program is beneficial because it allows him and the other ambassadors the opportunity to showcase Dover's mission and tell the public about our various organizations and what they do on a day-to-day basis.

"I believe it is a good experience for the Airmen that get to demonstrate their jobs and skills to the public," said Bravo. "Everyone on base has an important job and they should be proud to share what they do with the public."

Jennifer Vallee, 436th Airlift Wing community relations chief, said Team Dover's ambassadors help frame the tour by providing the background, purpose and relevance of Dover AFB. Tours involve leading visitors to various facilities to showcase Team Dover's mission as well as military life and the culture on base.

"Many times, the ambassador is the first impression of the base on these tours," said Vallee. "The tours can range from 10 to 40 people and last up to seven hours long. Tour requests with ambassador escorts are filtered through Public Affairs' community relations office."

The ambassador program currently has more than 25 ambassadors and each is required to shadow a minimum of two tours before conducting one themselves.

Staff Sgt. Rachel Huebner, 436th Airlift Wing protocol specialist, said the ambassador program is an opportunity to build strong relationships with the community. It also gets Airmen of Team Dover the chance to get out and see some of the things they may not encounter during their daily activities.

"This is an opportunity to become more involved in, not only my base community, but the civilian community as well," said Huebner. "It gives me the chance to meet new people and foster a healthy relationship with the civilians that surround and support us. It is also an opportunity to have fun and hopefully bring a little enjoyment to the people we are hosting."

Those who are interested in in being a Team Dover ambassador please call Public Affairs at (302) 677-3372 or email at civic.outreach-02@us.af.mil.