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Honorary commanders fly high with Team Fairchild

Fairchild honorary commanders watch as pilots Capt. Andrea May and Capt. Trenton Palmer, 92nd Operations Support Squadron, communicate with approaching aircraft for inflight refueling over Nevada airspace Nov. 6, 2014. The honorary commanders program pairs Spokane Civic Leaders with personnel at Fairchild to form a bond and familiarize the community with Fairchild operations fostering mutual understanding and establishing long lasting bonds of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

Honorary commanders fly high with Team Fairchild

David Holmes, a Fairchild honorary commander, listens to a safety brief from Senior Airman Stephon Sharief, a 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, prior to an incentive flight Nov. 6, 2014, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The honorary commander program is intended to immerse local community leaders with base leadership and their squadrons or groups. This particular event was held to familiarize the honorary commanders with the 92nd Operations Group mission and its Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

Honorary commanders fly high with Team Fairchild

Fairchild honorary commanders listen to a brief from members of the 92nd Operations Group on their mission and individual units that support them Nov. 6, 2014, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Honorary commanders from several squadrons around the installation listened to multiple speakers talk about each of their unit’s duties. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

Honorary commanders fly high with Team Fairchild

Keirston Lyons, a Fairchild honorary commander, Senior Airman Stephon Sharief, a 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, and Mary Starkey, a Fairchild honorary commander wait for anF-15E Strike Eagle during an incentive inflight refueling mission over Nevada airspace Nov. 6, 2014. The honorary commanders were given a chance to watch as the boom operator transferred fuel to a fighter jet as part of a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

Honorary commanders fly high with Team Fairchild

Published Nov. 12, 2014
By Scott King
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Sixteen Fairchild honorary commanders toured the 92nd Operations Group and also boarded a KC-135 Stratotanker Nov. 6 for an orientation flight showcasing the base's aerial refueling mission.

The group started off their day with joint mission briefings from the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wing commanders highlighting the Total Force Enterprise concept between the two wings. They then received briefings from the 92nd OG weather, aircrew flight equipment and intelligence sections to gain a thorough understanding of the operations group mission.

Following that, the group boarded a KC-135 and took off en route to refuel F-15E Strike Eagles from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, allowing them to witness the important role the Stratotanker plays in projecting airpower.

"The flight on the KC-135 is officially one of my top five favorite things I have ever experienced," said Molly Allen, 141st ARW honorary commander and KXLY 4 radio personality. "Although I knew it was something special that very few people get to witness, it felt so comfortable because of the level of professionalism and confidence the crew showed."

The crew was impressed with the honorary commanders and enjoyed their interactions with them.

"The experience was great," said Capt. Andrea May, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron pilot. "They seemed really excited to be flying with us and I enjoyed talking with Dennis Clay who was in the cockpit with us for most of the flight - he was very fun to talk with."

The purpose of the Honorary Commanders program is to partner with and educate influential members of the community - like teachers, business leaders and chamber members -- on the similarities and differences of military and civilian operations. The program is intended to bring together leaders of the military and civilian communities in an informal program designed to continue fostering mutual understanding and establish bonds of friendship.

One of the honorary commanders, a pilot himself, was extremely impressed with the professionalism the crews displayed throughout the mission.

"I was very impressed with the excellent communication and skill exhibited between the KC-135 crew and the F-15s," said Larry Godden, the 92nd Maintenance Group honorary commander and General Manager for Million Air, Moses Lake, Wash. "The whole day was a day I won't soon forget - the men and women of Fairchild are true patriots."

Honorary Commanders are typically identified through community groups such as Greater Spokane Incorporated and other chambers of commerce. They are then partnered up with a base commander and are invited to squadron and base functions and vice versa. Typically, they participate in the program for one to two years, and then are graduated to the Eagles program where they continue their relationship with the base, but not assigned to a specific squadron.

Base leadership believes the honorary commander program is a valuable asset.

"It's important to be able to demonstrate our capabilities to the community so they can better understand the importance of air refueling," said Col. Charles McDaniel, 92nd ARW commander. "We perform our mission around the globe, and they can now share our story throughout the greater Spokane area."