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New honorary commanders inducted at base ceremony
Gunfighter commanders and leadership welcomed 29 new honorary commanders to the team in a formal change-of-command ceremony Sept. 14 in hangar 201.
"I'm extremely proud of the program we have in place here at the wing and I think you'll all be thrilled too with the plan we have in place to share the base's exciting missions with you," said Col. James Browne, 366th Fighter Wing commander, during his opening remarks to nearly 150 guests.
"We're really going to give you all a firsthand account of the day-to-day trials and triumphs here at the 'ranch.'"
The change-of-command ceremony, hosted annually by the wing, followed Friday afternoon's 60th Anniversary celebration and was coordinated by the 366th FW Public Affairs office. The hangar ceremony included nearly two dozen exhibits including an F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle, munitions, an engine display and a newly painted 35-foot mural depicting the history and missions of the wing.
The Gunfighter honorary commanders program shares the wing's missions and accomplishments with community neighbors, particularly business and civic leaders, through a series of tours, demonstrations and briefings. The program helps foster key partnerships and educates local communities on what the wing brings to the state and nation's defense. It also offers an opportunity for wing leadership to recognize important issues and concerns beyond the base gates.
"This program is a wonderful way for Gunfighter commanders and community leaders to come together and gain a greater understanding of one another," said Alan Bermensolo, who was inducted as Col. Browne's new honorary commander at the ceremony. "I've heard nothing but great things from other honorary commanders who have gone through the program. I'm really looking forward to learning more about the wing and the great things its Airmen do everyday."
Each of the wing's honorary commanders is paired with a unit commander or member of the wing's leadership. Once inducted into the program, honorary commanders receive an initial tour and wing brief during an orientation day. Throughout the year, each of the wing's groups hosts the honorary commanders for a day in order to help them gain a greater understanding of their respective missions and meet many Airmen responsible for those missions.
This year's program closed out with an Air Expeditionary Force day, during which honorary commanders received a hands-on demonstration of what Airmen do and how they live while deployed.
During Friday's ceremony, outgoing honorary commanders passed their respective unit's guidon to the commander who then passed it to the incoming honorary commander.
"Incoming honorary commanders, welcome, I know you are going to enjoy this next year and what we have in store for you," said Col. Browne.
"Outgoing honorary commanders, thank you for your time, support and enthusiasm over this past year. You are our new advocates in the community and we are thankful to have been able to share our mission and accomplishments with you this past year."