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Fairchild welcomes Eagles, Honorary Commanders

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristian Carter
  • 92nd ARW Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Fairchild was host to more than 20 local civic and business leaders in a day filled with base facility tours, an orientation flight and introductions to Fairchild Airmen Feb. 23. 

The guests, who are newly appointed Honorary Commanders, were brought into the Fairchild family. 

Honorary Commanders are citizens from the local community who are local business and civic leaders. These leaders are then paired with wing, group and squadron commanders on base to develop relationships that strengthen the ties between the base and the local community. 

"The relationships that develop between the base's commanders and their Honorary Commander counterparts allow base leadership to have another avenue to share knowledge of the military and Fairchild's mission with the public," said Col. Scott Hanson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. 

The events that occurred last Friday started off with Team Fairchild commanders greeting the Honorary Commanders at the Expeditionary Airmen's Center of Excellence. The Honorary Commanders were given a wing mission brief, then educated about the procedures our Airmen go through as they process to their deployment. 

The commanders then received an orientation flight on a KC-135 training mission to refuel fighter aircraft over Oregon. 

"I am honored and humbled that they asked me to be part of the program," said Shawn Mayo, Operation Spokane Heroes chairwoman. "I was so impressed by the Airmen and their professionalism on the flight. It makes me so proud to be an American." 

At one point in the afternoon, Ms. Mayo spoke to the group about OSH. 

After the flight, the commanders visited the Warrior Dining Facility to eat lunch and get a feel for the atmosphere junior Airmen here encounter every day. 

"I am very excited," said Joelean Copeland, West Plains Chamber of Commerce executive director. "I feel honored and realize what a great privilege this is to be part of this program" 

After touring several base facilities, the Honorary Commanders went to Club Fairchild for a social, and to participate in an induction ceremony that appointed 14 Honorary Commanders from 2005-2006 as Eagles. 

Eagles is an organization of former Honorary Commanders who want to continue working with the Fairchild leaders. 

In addition to inducting the new Eagles, Colonel Hanson re-affirmed 60 current Eagles, certifying their desire to continue in the organization. 

Fairchild group and squadron commanders also participated in the induction ceremony.
"Our plan with the Honorary Commander program is to open up opportunities to help serve Fairchild families at a more efficient rate, to be here for them during their stay at Fairchild," said Matthew Pederson, Airway Heights mayor. "We want to do our part to support men and women of the Air Force."