Hurlburt inducts 2015-2016 Honorary Commanders

  • Published
  • By Amy Nicholson
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs Chief
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Hurlburt Field welcomed its newest honorary commanders Sept. 25 with an introduction to the base’s various missions and a banquet.

Team Hurlburt’s Honorary Commanders Program, which began in 2004, is a year-long program designed to build and maintain solid, mutually beneficial relationships between the local communities and Hurlburt Field. The program allows select local community leaders frequent opportunities to visit Hurlburt Field and learn about the mission, to participate in base functions and to express their views on issues of mutual concern. The program includes tours of each of the four groups in the 1st Special Operations Wing throughout the year, as well as tours of the 24th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center and the 505th Command and Control Wing.

“Hurlburt Field and the Special Operations missions it hosts are an integral part of our community and economy,” said John Hofstad, Okaloosa County Administrator, and incoming 1st SOW Honorary Commander. “As the County’s Chief Executive, it behooves me to have as much familiarity with the installation’s missions and personnel as possible. Likewise, as Okaloosa County is also host to Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field, the 7th Special Forces Group, Camp Rudder and numerous other missions, I believe that being named Hurlburt’s Honorary Commander will provide a unique opportunity to become quickly and thoroughly familiar with the other missions and commands, and to build a mutually beneficial network of contacts throughout the services that call the Eglin Reservation home.”

In addition to the tours, the honorary commanders will be invited to base events such as awards ceremonies, Operation Homecomings and changes of command, and they will be immersed into their assigned unit as much as possible, giving them hands-on experience in the program.

“During the next year, the honorary commanders will meet Hurlburt Airmen, ranging from Command and Control to Air Commando, and they’ll learn about the myriad missions that take place beyond the gates every day,” said Col. Sean Farrell, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. “They’ll get a peek behind the curtain to experience firsthand the specialized capabilities our Air Commandos possess to ensure their freedom and safety. They’ll learn of the associated risks inherent to the mission, of the challenges our Airmen face at home, the resiliency programs Hurlburt offers to create an environment for our Airmen and families to thrive and the vital importance of our neighbors in the community to their resiliency.”

Our honorary commanders play a vital role in the wellness of our Airmen.

"We hope they apply this knowledge to promote continued awareness and encouragement within the community. Community support is a critical element of our Airmen’s support structure,” said Col. Farrell. “When our Air Commandos are deployed, knowing that their families back home are being taken care of eases their mind and helps them focus on the mission.”

As the program has become more well-known in the community, nominees from across the Florida Panhandle spill in each year, making the selection process challenging.

Entering its 12th year, the program has produced 92 Hurlburt Field ambassadors in the community to date.

As honorary commanders transition out of the program each year, they enter an alumni status. Among other interactions, Hurlburt leaders invite them back to the base twice each year for Hurlburt Field updates to keep them tied in with the mission and the people.

“This program is about building relationships,” said Col. Farrell. “‘Honorary commander’ isn’t just a title; these community leaders become a part of the extended Air Force family.”

"I hate that it has come and gone so fast,” said Lt. Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigator, and outgoing 505th Training Group Honorary Commander. “You guys treated us like royalty.”

The 2015-2016 Team Hurlburt Honorary Commanders are:
• John Hofstad, Okaloosa County Administrator (1st Special Operations Wing)
• Jimmie Beavers, CEO of Beavers, Inc.; Operator of 53 Arby’s restaurants (1st Special Operations Group)
• Kim Barnes, City Clerk, City of Fort Walton Beach (1st Special Operations Mission Support Group)
• Jason Connor, ValleyCrest Companies/Landscape Maintenance (1st Special Operations Medical Group)
• Yancey Langston, Recently Retired Pensacola Attorney (1st Special Operations Maintenance Group)
• Nathaniel Chatman, Assistant Principal, Shoal River Middle School(1st Special Operations Wing Command Chief)
• Jenni Brunson, Marketing Manager, Twin Cities Hospital (505th Command and Control Wing)
• Bernard Johnson, District General Manager, Central District, Gulf Power Company (505th Training Group)
• Jerry Williams, President/CEO, Eglin Federal Credit Union (24th Special Operations Wing)
• John Watts, Vice President, Watts Investments (Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center)
• Bryan Morgan, Owner, CORE Shooting Solutions (Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center Command Chief)