Community leaders inducted into 17th TRW Honorary Commander Program

Published Oct. 26, 2022
By Senior Airman Abbey Rieves
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas— The 17th Training Wing held a ceremony for 23 community leaders who were inducted as 17th Training Wing Honorary Commanders, Oct. 25.

“This partnership we have with the community of San Angelo cannot be replicated anywhere,” said Col. Matthew Reilman, 17th Training Wing commander. “I challenge everybody that comes through to find a better place where there’s a tighter community relationship than what we have right now. Welcome Honorary Commanders class of 2022-2023.”

Community leaders inducted into 17th TRW Honorary Commander Program

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Reilman, 17th Training Wing commander, speaks to the newly selected Honorary Commanders at their induction ceremony at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2022. The Honorary Commander Program seeks to help build relationships with the community surrounding San Angelo, by connecting local and civic leaders with senior leaders at Goodfellow Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbey Rieves)

The Honorary Commander Program aims to familiarize selectees with the 17th Training mission and engage, educate, and empower local, regional and national level community leaders to be unofficial spokespersons for the Department of the Air Force. The program also seeks to help build relationships by connecting local community leaders with senior leaders at Goodfellow Air Force Base. The newly inducted Honorary Commanders represent leadership from various local organizations and institutions such as Angelo State University, San Angelo Independent School District and the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce among others.

“I’m really excited to be here and learn more about the mission,” said Jenna Jones, Honorary Commander class of 2022-2023. “This is an incredible opportunity to partner with the base, then take what we have learned back to the community to support our military members.”

Community leaders inducted into 17th TRW Honorary Commander Program

Honorary Commanders actively listen during their induction ceremony at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 25, 2022. Honorary Commanders are local community and civic leaders who took time to learn about the 17th Training Wing’s mission and will be seeking ways to expand the connection between the base and San Angelo, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbey Rieves)

The induction ceremony kicks off the 12-month annual program which has been revamped with a new look and feel to previous years. The 17th Training Wing’s program differs in that typically in the Air Force, Honorary Commanders are tied to specific squadrons rather than being wing Honorary Commanders.