San Angelo leadership tours base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 30 members of the Chamber of Commerce visited here during a Leadership San Angelo tour April 8.

The group consists of local business and city leaders interested in bettering their understanding of the relationship between the base and local community.

"Leadership San Angelo is a 9-month program that allows interested men and women with leadership potential the opportunity to develop their knowledge and hone their leadership skills through a planned learning process in the atmosphere of the city itself," said Sandra Pomroy, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce events coordinator. "In this living laboratory, Leadership San Angelo brings together people from throughout the city to share, learn and participate in the different areas involved in running a city."

The group visits local businesses throughout the city and Goodfellow was one of their many scheduled stops. Upon arriving on base, the group was brought to the headquarters conference room and greeted by 17th Training Wing commander, Col. Thomas Geary; 17th TRW vice commander, Col. David Rearick and 17th TRW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Frederick Ricker.

Tech. Sgt. Craig Jorell, 316th Training Squadron, briefed the group on the wing mission of training firefighters, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance students and how the base affects the local community and economy.

After the briefing the group was greeted by Scott Hebert, 312th Training Squadron, at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy. Here they were given a firsthand view of how instructors at Goodfellow train world class firefighters. Members were given a tour of Mooresville, the new $100,000 Command and Control Simulations Trainer that allow students to train for national incidents in the convenience of their classroom. They were also treated to a live demonstration of how students fight building and aircraft fires.

Following the tour of the fire academy, Lt. Col. Michael Beach, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, joined the group. He directed the bus driver to strategic locations around base, and described their significance. Some such areas include the location of the new intelligence campus; ground breaking of the dormitories and of the fire truck park and memorial.

To end the base visit, the group was led to the Western Winds Dining Facility for a luncheon, so they could get a feel and taste of student accommodations. Training wing leadership and their civilian counter parts were also present to interact and answer questions.

Before the Leadership San Angelo group parted ways, Colonel Geary thanked them for their support of the base.

"I want to thank you for coming here today and touring the base, and also for your support as well," Colonel Geary said. "It is with the support of you and the community that makes what we do possible."