MacDill Air Force Base -- Military and community leaders were on hand as Team MacDill inducted the latest group of 927th Air Refueling Wing and 6th Air Mobility Wing Honorary Commanders during a ceremony held at the Davis Conference Center, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, on 13 Oct.
After opening remarks from the 6 AMW commander, Col. April Vogel and the 927 ARW commander, Col. Michael Remualdo, honorees and guests were educated on the missions of both wings and given an overview of the honorary commander program.
“It’s an honor for me to be here in front of you today, thank you to the outgoing [honorary] commanders and welcome to the incoming [honorary] commanders, it’s a great team we have here at MacDill and we look forward to making it better with you as part of our team.” Said Remualdo.
The Honorary Commander Program is designed to foster relationships between Team MacDill and the greater Tampa Bay community. Participants are local civic leaders who are partnered with wing commanders, group commanders, command chiefs, and squadron commanders and are integrated into many aspects of each organization.
The ceremony resembled a traditional military assumption or change of command ceremony, with the wing, group or squadron commander taking center stage and presenting their honorary commander with their respective guidon.
“The honorary program is probably the coolest thing you’ll ever do. Our job as honorary commanders is too bridge that wall, bridge the gate between the military and the community,” said Chase Stockton, MacDill Advisory Committee member. “I challenge you to bring everybody here at MacDill out into the community, engage them, invite them to community events, and make them feel welcome. We are the ambassadors to the community.”
During their two-year term, the 37 new honorary commanders will have the opportunity to observe and participate in activities such as award ceremonies, change of commands, and training exercises.