Leaders from San Angelo and Goodfellow Air Force Base gathered for the chamber of commerce luncheon at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo, Texas, March 20.

Beginning with a meal, chamber members were then invited to speak about the various businesses they represented.

“I love Goodfellow, because through Goodfellow I gained a son-in-law,” said, Paige Dierschke, a guest speaker. “The downside was they got married in July and had to move to Alaska in August. That opened my eyes to military life though, and how even though they move around they reconnect with old friends or make new ones at the different bases.”

Col. Jeffrey Sorrell, 17th Training Wing vice commander, was the featured speaker for the luncheon.

“Innovation in the Air Force includes our partnerships with our community,” said Sorrell. “We are the number one [Air Force] base out of 61, with 27 partnership agreements already signed and 13 more in the works.”

Attending the luncheon gave members of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce a look into what Goodfellow has been doing in the last year. The chamber is a primary point of contact for visitors, prospective residents and companies seeking information about San Angelo.

“Last year we won two [community partnership] awards,” said Sorrell. “When being looked at for the awards, community relations are on that list, we wouldn’t have won those awards without your support.”

In closing, Sorrell wanted to leave the attendees with one last thank you. “The thing that we want the community to remember is, this is your base. We are here to serve you, just as you are here to serve us,” he said. “Make no mistake, this is your base.”