LRAFB program connects base to community
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE — The 19th Airlift Wing hosted an Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony on Feb. 26 at the Little Rock Air Force Base. The Honorary Commander Program is a community-outreach effort to continue building partnerships between local civic leaders and Team Little Rock.
Not only were nine new members welcomed into the program, but two honorary commanders, Brad West and Tom Bartole, were inducted into a new program — The Golden Knights.
“This was created to honor the Honorary Commanders with longevity in the program who have consistently demonstrated their commitment and support to the LRAFB,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy McGuffin, while narrating the Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony. “Golden Knights will engage as a mentor to incoming honorary commanders — instilling in them the significance of community partnerships and how that positively impacts airmen and their mission accomplishment.”
Each honorary commander is invited to participate in various installation and unit events, as well as holding other responsibilities in order to be a proactive supporter of the unit for which they are an honorary commander — as well as Team Little Rock, he explained.
The other 2020 Honorary Commander Program members are Denise Goforth, Rob Roedel, Dr. Bryan Duffie, Gina Radke, John Owens, Chad Aduddell, William Gerald Jones, Courtney Dunn, Chip Culpepper, Tony Pardew, Daniel Bryant, Shash Goyal, Danna Kay Duggar, Dr. Margaret Ellibee, Lorenzo Lewis, Cindy Doramus, John Selva, Jason Carson and Frank Lawrence.
According to Col. John Schutte, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, the overall goal for this program is to increase public awareness and understanding of the military, while simultaneously allowing military members to appreciate the robust support of community partners.
“What I’ve most enjoyed about the Honorary Commander Program is the opportunity to interact with the base personnel on a more one-on-one basis,” said Bartole, former 314th Operations Group honorary commander who was inducted into the Golden Knights Program. “The program has also given me the opportunity to travel with base personnel to other installations and to fly on a C-130 — allowing me to be an informed ambassador for the men and women of Team Little Rock. I like to stay involved when I can with base events, and this program affords me that opportunity.”
The community has prioritized fostering a strong relationship between the base and the local community to be responsive to airmen and families’ needs.
“With or without a platform like the Honorary Commander Program, our airmen and their families are a part of our surrounding communities,” Schutte said. “They live in the towns around base, purchase goods and services from area stores, and go to local schools and community churches. This allows us the chance to bring the community inside the gates.”
“We are excited to open our gates to our neighbors who support our mission every day and share what the Air Force brings to our national defense.”