GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Goodfellow hosted the 7th Annual Goodfellow Community Appreciation Day and 35th Annual Santa's Market at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy Nov. 15.
The event is aimed at strengthening base and community relations by informing locals of the training mission here at Goodfellow.
With that in mind, the base invited the local community to attend the free annual event featuring different Goodfellow units providing demonstrations and displays to include firefighters extinguishing an aircraft fire, squadrons competing in a drill competition and student linguists translating phrases and words of the costumer’s choosing.
“We are surrounded by folks who love their Air Force, and the least we can do is bring them in and give them insight into what their Air Force is all about,” said Col. Michael L. Downs, 17th Training Wing Commander. “We wanted to thank them. We are really, really fortunate.”
Dwain R. Morrison, San Angelo mayor, said he enjoyed his first appreciation day.
“It is my privilege to be here at Goodfellow today for Community Appreciation Day,” said Morrison. “This is exactly the way it ought to be. The city of San Angelo and Goodfellow Air Force Base are literally joined at the hip. We are one in the same. We need each other and I think it’s wonderful that we can have this kind of relationship.”