Team Goodfellow kicks-off Honorary Commanders Program Published Sept. 25, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Erica Rodriguez 17 Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas- -- Team Goodfellow connects with the San Angelo community by holding its first, in about a decade, Goodfellow Honorary Commander's Program social Sept. 21 here. Held at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy, community and local business leaders from the San Angelo community, titled Honorary Commanders, were able to meet their military counterpart from Goodfellow. "It feels good to be recognized by the Goodfellow community," said Glenna Friedrich, San Angelo Better Business Bureau president. "They recognize that there are counterparts within the community. We can exchange information; it's a win-win situation." The program was revived at the recommendation of Col. Mark Damiano, 17 Training Wing Commander, after seeing the success of the program in use at other bases, members from Protocol, Public Affairs, and Col. Thomas Schmidt, 17 Training Wing Vice Commander, created a board to select honorary commanders for the program. "The goal of the program is to encourage the exchange of ideas and experience and encourage friendships between the civilian and military community," said Robert D. Martinez, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs chief. The social began by welcoming and introducing the local honorary commanders to the program and opening remarks by Col. Damiano and administrative remarks by 1st Lt. Leanne Hedgepeth, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs deputy chief. After meeting and talking with their military counterparts, the group then took a small tour of the academy. Honorary commanders were then presented with certificates by Col. Damiano and Maj. Gen. Carl Skinner, Mobilization Assistant to the commander of Air Education and Training Command. The social is planned to occur about every two years. The ultimate goal of the program is for the honorary commanders and their military counterparts to actively communicate with each other for the exchange of ideas in their areas of expertise. Honorary commanders are encouraged to attend social and official functions that their military counterpart units hold. Attendance of the honorary commanders at these events not only encourages the exchange of ideas but allows the civilian community to understand what happens on base. "We hope by doing this we not only encourage information exchange with the local organizations, we hope to increase the community understanding of the military and Goodfellow's mission," said Martinez.
