Program brings community, base together

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Since 1992, Dover Air Force Base, Del., has invited civic leaders from across the state to take part in the honorary commander program. This program takes individuals, including school administrators, business owners, police officers and elected officials, and gives them the opportunity to learn more about Team Dover's mission. By matching honorary commanders with commanders from the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings, this program encourages both sides to interact on base and in the community.

During the induction ceremony Feb. 4, the honorary commanders swore an oath to "support the men and women of Dover Air Force Base and the United States Air Force;" to "serve as a good ambassador for the United States Air Force and my community" and "partner with [their] unit commander to create an everlasting alliance that will benefit [their] organization, the state of Delaware and the United States Air Force."

"It is fantastic - it is one of the best things I have done in my life and career," said the honorable Ernst Arndt, deputy chief magistrate for the Justice of the Peace court system of Kent County. Arndt said one thing he enjoyed was finding out what people on-base do and being able to speak to the community about the sacrifices service members make.

Lt. Col. Doug Jackson, a commander with the 436th Operation Support Squadron, was looking for an energetic and engaged honorary commander and was paired with Bill Hare, an entrepreneur and Dover city councilman.

"This [program] is a good opportunity for our squadron, because we have a large number of young enlisted members who can share their experience with a civilian leader and in turn gain a better understanding about our local civic leaders," said Jackson.

Jackson has invited Hare and his wife to attend the wing annual awards banquet this weekend to support the 436th OSS Airmen who are up for awards. He also has plans for Hare to tour some facilities, such as the aircrew flight equipment building, as well as the air traffic control tower and radar operations center.

"Our honorary commander is both a successful businessman and a city councilman. I am looking forward to him getting a chance to talk to our young Airmen in different sections to relay some of the information he has," said Jackson.

Hare has also expressed interest in attending commander's calls and there are plans to get him involved with the key spouse program, said Jackson.

The honorary commander program also supports an alumni group, those honorary commanders who have completed their term but still wish to maintain a relationship with the base. The alumni group is comprised of 45 former honorary commanders.

Jackson said he is looking forward to what the honorary commander program will do this year for the base and local community.

"This [program] is an excellent opportunity for the base to interact with the local community and build mutual appreciation. Having been at bases that have communities that aren't as supportive, this program is refreshing. This is my second tour to Dover AFB and I am struck by how supportive the local community is and I am glad to be supporting that [relationship]."