Team MacDill Inducts "Honorary Commanders"

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shane O. Huff
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An induction ceremony was held  for thirty-three "Honorary Commanders" at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. on 31 July, 2009.  The 6th Air Mobility Wing Commander, Colonel Lawrence M. Martin, and the 927th Air Refueling Wing Vice Commander, Colonel Ted Mathews, Jr., hosted the ceremony at the Davis Conference Center for the honorees and their family members. 

The concept of the Honorary Commander Program is to exchange ideas, experiences and friendship among the 6th Air Mobility Wing, the 927th Air Refueling Wing and the greater Tampa Bay community. Participants are local leaders who are partnered up with Wing Commanders, Group Commanders, Command Chiefs, and Squadron Commanders to be integrated into every aspect of each organization represented. Honorary Commanders, are asked to participate in activities such as an aerial-refueling orientation flight, official wing functions including award ceremonies, promotions, changes of command and MacDill's annual AirFest.  Honorary Commanders hold their position, on a volunteer basis, for 24 months.

The ceremony was opened with a welcome to honorees and guests preceeded by a joint brief about the missions of the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing.  The ceremony was then conducted with each commander, or chief, holding their respective organizational flags out for the honorary commander to receive them, both symbolically holding the flag at the same time.  A photograph was taken of each commander and honorary commander holding the flags.  A small momento holding a unit coin was then given to each honorary commander as a gift. 

Colonel Martin and Colonel Mathews both expressed their gratititude to the honorary commanders for participating in this program, stressing the importance of keeping strong ties between MacDill Air Force Base and the greater Tampa Bay communities.