New honorary commanders welcomed during banquet

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Leadership from the 1st Special Operations Wing saluted their newest civilian counterparts as part of the Honorary Commanders Program during a banquet at Soundside Club at Hurlburt Field, Sept. 17. 

Hurlburt Field commanders were paired with local community leaders as part of a year-long program to build and maintain solid, mutually beneficial relationships between Hurlburt Field and the surrounding communities.

"As a proud American citizen, I would be honored to be able to participate with the men and women who serve our country and experience firsthand their duties and dedication to the Air Force," said Fred Schinz, 1st SOW honorary commander.

Throughout the year, the honorary commanders will be able to participate in base functions like Operation Homecoming, changes of command or award ceremonies, and express their views on issues of mutual concern. They will also be able to tour each of the wing's four groups as they learn about the 1st Special Operations Wing's mission.

"I am very interested in learning more about our local military," said Kathleen Sharon, 1st SOW honorary chaplain. "They are the lifeblood of our community and I feel the more I know, the better I will be able to advocate for and support the Air Force in the Florida Panhandle."

During the banquet Colonel Plehn explained many Air Force traditions, like the significance of the commander's coin and the Air Force song.

"As a native of Fort Walton Beach for 52 years, I know firsthand how important the military is to this community," said Elaine Anderson, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group honorary commander. "I would consider it an honor and privilege to participate in this program and to learn more about military operations."

Since the program's inception in 2004, there have been 46 Hurlburt Field honorary commanders in the community. Former honorary commanders are invited to stay in touch through the 1st SOW Honorary Commander Alumni Association.

"The Honorary Commander Program has become quite an effective tool for fostering relationships with our local community leaders," Colonel Plehn said to the incoming honorary leaders. "I encourage you to get involved with the base as often as possible. The more you can involve yourself, the more you'll get out of the program."

The 2010-2011 Honorary Commanders are:
Fred Schinz, President, Tiforp Development Corp. (1st Special Operations Wing)
Phillip Smith, Retail Store Director, Publix Supermarkets (1st Special Operations Wing Command Chief)
Karen McCarthy, Associate Vice President, Florida Ops for Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, (1st Special Operations Maintenance Group)
Elaine Anderson, No Child Left Behind Curriculum Specialist, Okaloosa County School District, (1st Special Operations Mission Support Group)
Blake Webster, Owner/Operator, Moe's Southwest Grill (1st Special Operations Group)
Kathleen Sharon, Commercial Lender, Coastal Bank & Trust of Florida (1st Special Operations Wing Chaplain)