Hurlburt's new honorary commanders indoctrinated

  • Published
  • By Amy Oliver
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The newest group of 1st Special Operations Wing honorary commanders came on board Sept. 20 and toured the 1st Special Operations Group Oct. 30, as a part of the year-long program designed to build and maintain solid, mutually beneficial relationships between the local communities and Hurlburt Field. 

The 1st SOW Honorary Commanders Program, which began in 2004, allows local civic leaders opportunities to visit Hurlburt Field and learn about the mission, participate in base functions and express their views on issues of mutual concern. The program includes tours of each of the four groups in the wing over the next year and a flight in a 1st SOW aircraft. 

During their tour of the 1st SOG, the honorary commanders gained a comprehensive overview of the group's mission through tours of five aircraft, the air traffic control tower and two flying squadrons. They tried their hand at the stick of an MH-53 flight simulator at the19th Special Operations Squadron and took a flight along the Emerald Coast in an MC-130H. 

"I have lived here since 1990, but my first visit to Hurlburt was just a few months ago," said Ted Corcoran, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and 1st SOG honorary commander. "Prior to our 1st SOG tour, the most exciting part of Hurlburt to me was driving on Highway 98, hoping that a plane would be landing just at the right time to fly over my car." 

In addition to the quarterly tours, the honorary commanders will be invited to base events, such as Operation Homecoming, and will be immersed into their assigned unit as much as possible, giving them a hands-on experience in the program. 

"By the end of their year-long tenure, they will have a keen knowledge of the risks taken every day by 1st SOW Airmen in the name of freedom," said Col. Brad Webb, 1st SOW commander. "We hope they will use this knowledge to help us foster understanding and support throughout the local community." 

To date, the program has produced 26 Hurlburt Field ambassadors in the community. 

"We are already accomplishing the purpose of the honorary commander program," Mr. Corcoran said. "Awareness!"

The 2007-2008 1st SOW Honorary Commanders are: 

Dr. Cheryl Seals, No Child Left Behind Curriculum Specialist, Okaloosa County School District (1st Special Operations Wing) 

Mr. Chris Sehman, Owner of Helen Back Café and president of the Emerald Coast Foundation (1st Special Operations Wing Command Chief) 

Mr. Ted Corcoran, President of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Destin City Council (1st Special Operations Group) 

Mr. Chad Hamilton, Partner, O'Sullivan Creel, LLP, Certified Public Accounting Firm (1st Special Operations Maintenance Group) 

Dr. Karen Chapman, Director of Okaloosa County Health Department (1st Special Operations Medical Group) 

Mr. Ted Litschauer, Fort Walton Beach Chief of Police (1st Special Operations Mission Support Group) 

Father Nicholas Schumm, Priest for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola - Tallahassee, and parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Fort Walton Beach (1st Special Operations Wing Chaplain)