Honorary commanders visit maintainers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Twenty honorary commanders toured several facilities within the 60th Maintenance Group May 20 to gain a better understanding of the Air Force’s mission at Travis Air Force Base, California.


The honorary commander program is designed to integrate civic leaders from the local community into the military for a two-year term.

               

The tour began with a mission brief by Col. Earl Scott, 60th MXG commander, and Col. Jeff Pickard, 349th MXG commander, as they explained the overall mission of the group and showcased the partnership between the 60th MXG has with the 349th MXG. The duo provided the honorary commanders some insight into what they would see throughout the day.


“We are the one group on base that is so integrated that we plan together, live together and execute together,” Pickard said.


Scott echoed Pickard and went on to explain his MXG motto.


“That’s why I say, ‘one team, no seam,’” Scott said. “Because you can’t tell where the 60th ends and the 349th begins.”


Scott went on to emphasize the importance of the installation’s maintenance mission.


“We are a customer driven service,” Scott said. “We move stuff and we move people and bring hope to those who don’t otherwise have it.”


After the briefing and some trivia on the three airframes at Travis, the honorary commanders headed to the flight line to tour static displays of the C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender.


George Kennedy, Green Bean owner and 70th Air Refueling Squadron honorary commander, said the best part of the tour was vising the aircraft.


“It was really cool to go inside the C-5 and learn about the capabilities it has, as well as learn that the KC-10 not only has the refueling capability, but it can move people and cargo too,” Kennedy said.


The tour also included an in-depth look into the 60th Aerial Port Squadron operations and the 60th Maintenance Squadron’s fabrication flight.


“I enjoy being part of the honorary commander program because I get to learn not only what Travis does, but how it benefits the community and how it affects the entire world as well,” Kennedy said.