SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Col. Ricky Mills, 17th Training Wing commander, Ms. Toni Hansen, Deputy Director of the 17th Mission Support Group and Ms. Brenda Gunter, Mayor of San Angelo, attended the inaugural Profiles in Partnership Ceremony, Feb. 12, at the Association of Defense Communities Installation Innovation Forum in San Diego.
“The City of San Angelo and Goodfellow Air Force Base exemplify the definition of partnership,” said Hansen. “This is evident in every interaction I have with leaders from the community and the base, as there is always an underlying intent to collaborate.”
The City of San Angelo, Texas, in partnership with Goodfellow AFB, were awarded for Air Force Community Partnership Program Leadership Excellence.
“As the Community Partnership lead for Goodfellow, I have the opportunity to regularly engage with heads of the community and the base on partnership initiatives. These interactions are always proactive and selfless,” adds Hansen. “Without fail, leaders are willing to give more than they might receive in order to improve the current situation for others, despite the fact the goal of a partnership is mutual benefit.”
The AFCP Program hosted the event recognizing the innovative partnerships and installation/community leadership that have made valuable contributions to the AFCP Program.
The City of San Angelo was recognized for being a steadfast partner in many initiatives that support both Goodfellow’s mission and the needs of Airmen and their families. San Angelo has been a partner with the base in spearheading several initiatives such as Shared Medical Emergency Training, Firetruck Maintenance, Ambulance Service, and various medical and educational joint training partnerships.
The International Intelligence Training Center partnership was noted in particular. This partnership provided international exposure to the City of San Angelo and helps in revenue generation through increased housing, restaurants, retail, and tourism.
The renovation of building 900 expanded the international training mission, resulting in a $2.68M cost avoidance for Goodfellow to refurbish the facility. The collaborative spirit of partnerships undertaken by the City of San Angelo and Goodfellow serve as an excellent example of the AFCP Program’s far-reaching potential.
The ceremony was attended by over 150 participants, and commended as a valuable forum for highlighting how Air Force installations and surrounding communities mutually benefit from partnerships to meet respective mission requirements and needs.
Mr. Richard Hartley, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Energy and Environment, provided opening remarks for the event. Hartley praised the AFCP Program for its continued advocacy and hard work in establishing community partnerships.
“The partnership between the City of San Angelo and Goodfellow AFB is only going to continue to strengthen because of the mutual respect for each other as well as the understanding of the interdependent relationship between the base and the city,” concludes Hansen. “Although we've accomplished a lot over the past year, I think we're only getting started!”