Spokane civic leaders visit Scott Air Force Base

By Senior Airman Jesenia Landaverde, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs / Published October 22, 2019

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U.S. Air Force Gen. Maryanne Miller, Air Mobility Command commander, discusses AMC priorities with Spokane-area civic leaders during a civic leader tour to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Oct. 16. The Air Force is trying to overcome license reciprocity, child care and education systems concerns that Airmen and their families have in their respective communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesenia Landaverde)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brannon Tulloss, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, briefs Spokane-area civic leaders on the roles and responsibilities of in-flight medical care during a civic leader tour to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Oct. 17. The squadron plays a key role in providing critical patient care for service members assigned to bases with limited medical resources. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesenia Landaverde)

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Fairchild Air Force Base aircrew members and Spokane-area civic leaders pose for a photo during a civic leader tour to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Oct. 17. Key Air Force personnel and civic leaders team up to ensure the highest quality of life for service members and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesenia Landaverde)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Salmi, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, talks to Jeff Vom Saal, Team Fairchild honorary commander, about in-flight operations during a civic leader tour to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Oct. 16. The tour is designed to increase civic leaders’ understanding of Air Mobility Command, United States Transportation Command, 618th Air Operations Command and how the community can impact Airmen’s quality of life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesenia Landaverde)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Fromm, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, demonstrates in-flight refueling controls to Fairchild Air Force Base honorary commanders during a civic leader tour to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Oct. 17. The tour is designed to increase civic leaders’ understanding of Air Mobility Command, United States Transportation Command, 618th Air Operations Command and how the community can impact Airmen’s quality of life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesenia Landaverde)

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- More than 20 civic leaders from Spokane, Washington, participated in a civic leader tour to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Oct. 16 and 17.

The tour was designed to increase civic leaders’ understanding of Air Mobility Command, United States Transportation Command, 618th Air Operations Command and how the community can impact Team Fairchild Airmen’s quality of life.

“We value the opportunities we have to bring our community leaders together and hope to highlight some of the issues we’re facing in the Air Force, and to come together to find a solution,” said Col. Derek Salmi, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. “It has fostered a lot of great discussions and built great connections.”

Gen. Maryanne Miller, AMC commander, sat down with Fairchild AFB’s civic leaders to discuss some of the biggest hurdles the Air Force is working to overcome, such as license reciprocity, child care, and education system. A number of these concerns stem from the relocation of Airmen in order to fulfill Air Force mission requirements.

“During this trip, we learned that there are many challenges military families face,” said Todd Mielke, AMC civic leader and Fairchild AFB honorary commander. “These Air Force-wide problems are the things we focus on as a community to take care of those who serve for us.”

Many of the civic leaders who attended chair boards and organizations that directly contribute to improving the lives of Airmen and their families.

The community is in the process of presenting more than 70 types of trade licenses that will benefit dual-income families in the military, added Mielke.

“These trips enable the Spokane community to really understand the role of Fairchild, and the Air Force, and how we, as community partners, fit into the big picture,” said Mielke. “We can bring back this information and really make a difference by advocating for all service members to other community partners.”

Airmen stationed at Fairchild are not visiting, they have made greater Spokane their home. Fairchild Airmen are able to achieve Global Reach because of the bond shared with the local community, which works hard to taken care of Airmen.