Flight teaches community members importance of mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Participants in Leadership Central Delaware took part in an orientation flight Dec. 7 as part of their education about the role Dover Air Force Base plays in Kent county and for the Air Force.

Leadership Central Delaware was created by the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce to bring together business leaders to foster networking and community improvements in central Delaware.

"We're looking to build life-long networks between members in our program," said Gina Aurora, Leadership Central Delaware coordinator and Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce membership director. "We especially love to work with Dover Air Force Base; the more we can work with them, the more we can assist the community as a whole."

Every year, the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce offers the chance for one enlisted airman and one officer from Dover Air Force Base to participate in the 10-month course. Each month, Leadership Central Delaware focuses on a different part of the Central Delaware community, with December centered around the military and Dover Air Force Base.

"We love coming on the orientation flight because it gives our course members a chance to see what these brave men and women are doing, not only for the community, but the nation as a whole," said Ms. Aurora.

This orientation flight offered a few firsts for Leadership Central Delaware, as it was the first C-7 Globemaster III flight, and also the first time a participant piloted the aircraft. That honor belonged to Lt. Col. Kevin Gordon, 3rd Airlift Squadron commander.

"It was truly a privilege to be able to show my classmates the great mission that folks are doing everyday here at Dover," said Colonel Gordon. "It is always nice to see the appreciation that our local community and business leaders have for what happens at Dover Air Force Base. They got to see our professional maintainers, aerial port members and aircrew doing what they do best - getting the mission done."