Honorary commanders bid farewell

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The United States military is made up of less than 1 percent of the total population, and for most of the other 99 percent, understanding the inner workings of military operations and training is not an option. At Luke Air Force Base, however, there is an opportunity designed to give local community members that inside look known as the Honorary Commander Program.

Outgoing honorary commanders joined squadron, group and wing leadership Sept. 17 at Club Five Six for a farewell ceremony in celebration of their time spent at Luke. The honorary commanders in attendance at the farewell ceremony served for two years, and "retired" their positions as honorary commanders.

The Honorary Commander Program links local business and community leaders with members of Luke leadership. The honorary commanders serve for a term of two years, during which time they learn about the Air Force and various facets of the Luke mission.

"Honorary commanders are invited to base and unit events such as ceremonies, social functions, commander's calls and graduation banquets," said Barbara Plante, 56th Fighter Wing Community Initiatives Team member. "Through their base involvement, the honorary commanders build relationships with their respective military leaders which results in a better understanding of the Luke mission and, in turn, stronger support from the local community."

The benefits of this program are not only for the honorary commander.

"The honorary commanders are encouraged to extend reciprocal invitations to their military commanders," Plante said. "This is a mutual support program allowing the military host commander to become familiar with his or her honorary commander's place of business. This allows the military commander to learn from the practices of successful civilian leaders."

Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th FW commander, spoke to the outgoing honorary commanders about their time with Luke Air Force Base.

"When you started as a class in 2012, you were a group of people who were interested in the United States Air Force," he said. "It is my hope that now you are a group of people who love the United States Air Force. The relationships we started through the honorary commander program are what will continue to sustain Luke Air Force Base."

With the departure of these honorary commanders, room is made for the next group of leaders who will officially begin their tenure as honorary commanders when they are sworn in during the 2014 Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony on Oct. 17.