Travis Week a chance for base to say thanks

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To show it's appreciation for the continuous support from Solano County, Travis Air Force Base will celebrate Travis Week from Sept. 11 to 18 with a variety of programs, outreach efforts and community events throughout Fairfield, Vacaville, Dixon, Rio Vista, Benicia, Vallejo and Suisun City.

"Travis Week is a weeklong outreach with different venues, to enhance our relationship with our local community," said Col. James Vechery, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "It's our chance to say, 'Thank you, Solano!' And it's a great way for our Airmen to connect with their community and share Team Travis' Global Mobility story."

During the month of September Team Travis will celebrate its partnership with Solano County and continue to build even stronger community ties. The events will showcase significant community involvement, will build morale and unity with Solano County communities, and will entertain and educate with Air Force Band and Honor Guard performances.

Travis Week will kick-off with the California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport in Sacramento Sept. 11 and 12. Team Travis is partnering with the airshow to showcase Air Force aircraft and personnel, through displays, demonstrations and a flyover.

Other events during Travis Week will be daily high school outreach efforts, a free concert at Suisun Harbor, band performances at the Vacaville Jazz Festival, a Career Day at the base for 500 middle school youth, a Civic Leader base tour for new civic and business leaders in communities throughout Solano, the Air Force Ball, and finally a full community-supported Travis Appreciation Picnic.

"Normally Travis hosts an open house and airshow every other year," said Maj. Shawn Timpson, 60th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations. "Unfortunately, we were unable to host an Air Show this year."

However, we still wanted to show how much we value and appreciate the relationships we have with our local communities, so Travis Week took on the role of thanking and educating our civilian partners in the seven cities of Solano County, he said.

"This is a major community outreach effort to help inform the local public of Travis' mission and give them a taste of life on a U.S. Air Force base," said Major Timpson.

"It's an opportunity for the units and personnel stationed at Travis to thank Solano County for always welcoming us and making us feel part of this wonderful community."

There are 14 events planned on and off base throughout the week, and all need the support of Team Travis personnel. For more information about volunteering, contact Capt. Darrell Dardenne at (707) 424-2294.

More information on Travis Week and complete list of events will be available in future editions of the Tailwind.