Civic leaders swear in as honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By SrA Erika Brooke
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover Air Force Base inducted 46 honorary commanders and recognized seven outgoing honorary commanders during an induction ceremony and dinner at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Del., Feb 9.

The honorary commander program's aim for the last 21 years has been to foster a strong relationship between Team Dover and the surrounding community. It is accomplished by pairing military commanders with local civic leaders to enhance the flow of communication, awareness and support.

Col. Raymond A. Kozak, 512th Airlift Wing commander, welcomed the inductees and expressed the importance of community relations, given the majority of the Reserve wing's traditional reservists live and work throughout Delmarva.

"From the highest levels of leadership in the Air Force, we're charged with telling our story to the American public," said the wing commander. "We want the community to understand what we do, so they can support what we do. And, this program is one of the best and most meaningful ways to do that."

Judy Zaal, a 2013 alumni inductee, said being an honorary commander allowed her to gain a sense of what her son experiences serving in the active-duty Marine Corps. Zaal, of Astra Zeneca military support group, participated in various unit training assemblies and events with Liberty Wing reservists, including base-wide exercises in preparation for Team Dover's 2011 operational readiness inspection.

"The greatest thing I learned from this is how important each career is in the Air Force -- how collective groups make it all work," said Zaal.
 
While Zaal boasted experience with the armed forces, it will be the first exposure to military life for Cristal Brenneman.

Brenneman, who works for the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, is beginning her first year as honorary commander. Nominated by her supervisor, Brenneman expressed her enthusiasm during the induction ceremony.

"I was surprised and excited when I realized I'd been chosen as an honorary commander," she said. " I'm looking forward to being involved with Team Dover." Brenneman is paired with Lt. Col. Andrew Eiler, the 512th Operations Support Flight commander.

Military commanders and their civilian counterparts are encouraged to integrate each other into their professions to help gain understanding of the importance of community involvement to achieve the Air Force mission. Honorary commanders will have opportunities to participate in numerous events on base throughout the year, including a variety of military ceremonies and tours as well as an orientation flight.

In all, Team Dover's honorary commander roster includes 46 civic leaders, ranging from elected officials and business owners to industry professionals and educators. In addition to the 19 honorary commanders assigned to the 512th AW, 24 are appointed to the 436th AW and one each is designated for the Joint Personal Effects Depot, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System and Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations.

(Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda contributed to this story.)