Dover Team welcomes honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By Sue Walls
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 50 community leaders were inducted in the 16th Annual Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony at the Landings Club on Dover Air Force Base Feb.15.
The honorary commanders program first began at Dover AFB in 1992, with 41 community leaders. 

To date, nearly 700 community leaders have participated in the program.
Civic leaders are matched with military commanders, active duty and reserve. 

Individuals are selected from across the First State, to include New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties, from professions ranging from school teachers and politicians to bankers, police officers, business owners and elected officials. 

The program's focus is to target those community members with little to no military service, and in turn educate them about Dover AFB and the important role of today's military, said Col. Ronald A. Rutland, 512th Airlift Wing commander. 

"This program is about you," said Colonel Rutland "We can't do the mission without the support of the local community. As members and leaders in this community this program is an opportunity for you to learn about all the things our reservists and active duty members accomplish at Dover Air Force Base and around the world every day in defense of our nation." 

"This program was initiated to extend a cross-flow of information and exchange of ideas between our military personnel and local civic leaders," said Col. Sam Cox, 436th Airlift Wing commander. 

Military commanders are encouraged to invite their civilian counterpart to unit functions including awards ceremonies, commander's calls, change of commands and social functions, while honorary commanders are encouraged to invite their respective commander to interact with their profession. 

Michael Braun, president of the Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity and the newly inducted honorary commander for the 512th Airlift Wing's safety office, said it's a great honor to have the opportunity to participate in the honorary commander program. 

"For years the people of the 512th and 436th Airlift Wings have been big supporters of the Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity," he said. "I am truly looking forward to the opportunity of spending time in your 'house' and getting to know you all better." 

Joe Yacyshyn, Manager of Community Affairs for Wilmington Trust Company is the new honorary commander for the 436th Mission Support Group. Mr. Yacyshyn has been involved in the program since 2004, previously serving with the 3rd Airlift Squadron, and relishes his involvement with the entire Dover Team. 

"The Honorary Commander program is a great outreach tool. The interaction with the squadrons, gives me so many unique opportunities to work with and show my support for the military, to see what they do every day, for our local area, and our country. I'm very proud to be associated with Dover AFB," said Mr. Yacyshyn. 

The new group of Honorary Commanders will have the opportunity to participate in many base functions over the next year: A C-5 orientation flight is projected for the spring, C-17 Globemaster III delivery ceremony in June, wing-wide picnic in the summer, as well as the Fall Bluesuiter's Golf Tournament at Eagle Creek Golf Course slated for Sept. 13. (1st Lt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo contributed to this story)