MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. -- Honorary commanders Chris Passaro and James Meyer toured the 934th Airlift Wing as part of the Honorary Commander’s program Dec. 2, 2017.
The Honorary Commander’s program is an Air Force wide initiative that helps build and strengthen community relationships between commanders and local community leaders in an effort to increase positive impacts to local communities.
“It’s necessary that we are able to offer some insight to some of our local leaders,” Col. Craig Petersen, 934th Mission Support Group commander explained. “The Honorary Commander’s program gives us an opportunity to show some of the things that we are involved in since these folks are not associated in any way with military.”
During their tour the honorary commanders received a mission brief to learn more about the wing and the Airmen that work on the base and how they contribute to the surrounding local community.
We are all a part of the same community and we depend on each other, Petersen said during the briefing. Currently, the wing has more than a $100 million annual economic impact to the surrounding community and supports more than 50,000 local retirees.
After the briefing the honorary commanders enjoyed a meal at the dining facility and had a chance to experience a computer-based simulation-training system called MILO or Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives at the 934th Security Forces Squadron to experience first-hand how Airmen react in shoot-no shoot scenarios and defend the base.
As Passaro visited with Airmen from the 934th SFS he said, “I think it is important for community members to get to know the military from an awareness standpoint, as well as a way to show honor and respect for what our military members do.”
The last stop of the tour was at the 934th Civil Engineer Squadron where Passaro and Meyers had the chance to meet with fighter fighters, try on their gear and learn how Airmen prepare for the firefighting mission at a deployed location.
As the tour came to an end Passaro reflected, “I think a lot of us take for granted what all takes place on a military base and this was a great opportunity to get more familiar with the base and the Airmen and to remind us give back to our military community when we can.”