Honorary commanders visit Travis

U.S. Air Force Col. John Klein, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, welcomes Honorary Commanders during their tour of the 60th Operations Group at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sep. 1, 2017. The purpose of the Travis Air Force Base Honorary Commander Program is to promote relationships between base senior leadership and civilian partners, foster civic appreciation of the Air Force mission and its Airmen, maximize opportunities to share the Air Force story with new stewards, and to communicate mutual interest, challenges, and concerns that senior leaders and civilian stakeholders have in common. (U.S. Air Force photo by Louis Briscese)

Honorary commanders visit Travis

U.S. Air Force Col. Theresa Weems, 60th Operations Group commander, welcomes Honorary Commanders during their tour of the 60th Operations Group at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sep. 1, 2017. The purpose of the Travis Air Force Base Honorary Commander Program is to promote relationships between base senior leadership and civilian partners, foster civic appreciation of the Air Force mission and its Airmen, maximize opportunities to share the Air Force story with new stewards, and to communicate mutual interest, challenges, and concerns that senior leaders and civilian stakeholders have in common. (U.S. Air Force photo by Louis Briscese)

Honorary commanders visit Travis

U.S. Air Force Col. Cory Cook, 349th Operations Group, talks with Honorary Commander Alan Hartford during his tour of the 60th Operations Group at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Sep. 1, 2017. The purpose of the Travis Air Force Base Honorary Commander Program is to promote relationships between base senior leadership and civilian partners, foster civic appreciation of the Air Force mission and its Airmen, maximize opportunities to share the Air Force story with new stewards, and to communicate mutual interest, challenges, and concerns that senior leaders and civilian stakeholders have in common. (U.S. Air Force photo by Louis Briscese)

Honorary commanders visit Travis

Published Sept. 11, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Christian Conrad
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Travis Air Force Base, California hosted a tour for 35 honorary commanders from the 60th Air Mobility Wing Sept. 1.

The tour featured a training mission that provided the honorary commanders a firsthand experience of the dynamic and diverse mission of Travis’ 60th Operations Group.

Through the cooperative efforts between U.S. Air Force bases and the communities that host them, the honorary commanders program aims to increase public awareness of the missions, policies and programs of the Air Force while advocating community stewardship among serving Airmen.

“Personally, the program helps me get to know local civic leaders, resources, and support networks that the local communities have that can help our Airmen thrive in the communities surrounding Travis,” said Col. Theresa E. Weems, the 60th OG commander. “They also provide a great connection back to the American public who we serve.”

The tour began with a briefing by Weems before the honorary commanders were split into two groups, with one group boarding a KC-10 Extender and the other boarding a C-17 Globemaster III.

During the tour, the 60th OG showcased how Team Travis projects American power through the capabilities of the KC-10 and C-17. Simulating a low-altitude cargo drop, both aircraft deftly maneuvered through the air around the bay area. Honorary commanders were treated with an up-close perspective of a mid-air refueling as well as the aircrafts’ cockpits.

It’s important for the community to learn what Travis’ mission is and how the Airmen go about accomplishing it so that Travis might help grow understanding and cooperation between the civilian and military sectors Weems said.

“I think the more the community is able to learn about the military, the more the community appreciates all that they do here,” said Bill Kampton, a real estate broker from Napa, California. “Making connections between the military and the community is important, and the honorary commanders program helps to accomplish that.”

The tour concluded at the Travis flight terminal where Weems thanked the honorary commanders for their service and their help in Travis’ operations.

“For me, it’s all about friendship,” Kampton said. “It’s all about coming together and learning from each other. There are endless perspectives to be shared, and from every perspective, there’s a lesson to learn.