SAN ANTONIO -- SAN ANTONIO - The 433rd Airlift Wing inducted eight civic leaders into the 433rd Airlift Wing Honorary Commanders’ Program during a ceremony here, May 6.
The civic leaders assumed honorary command by accepting the 433rd AW guidon from their assigned 433rd Airlift Wing group commanders and receiving an Air Force insignia pin.
Each honorary commander is paired with a specific group commander to learn more about the 433rd AW mission sets and how the unit supports the total Air Force, bridging the gap between the military and the community.
“It’s important that we engage with the community that our base and the wing is in,” said Col. Brenden Bartholomew, 433rd AW vice commander. “Our members are merely being hosted by the city that we are living in so, it’s important for those folks to be able to engage with us and learn about what we do and to be able to grow those bonds.”
Constable Kathryn Brown, Bexar County 4th Precinct constable, was among those inducted.
“This is a really good program. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to,” said Brown. “My commissioner, Tommy Calvert, introduced me to the program and suggested it for me. It’s truly an honor and we are going to do some great things together.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr. and the Bexar County Commissioners Court donated $5,000 to the Angels Wings Over the Alamo, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides financial assistance, support and resources to Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 433rd AW.
The 2023 Honorary Commanders inducted in May:
Hannah McArthur, financial advisor, First Command – 433rd Maintenance Group
Bill Gerlt, assistant general manager, San Antonio Missions – 433rd Maintenance Squadron
Honorable Kirsten Cohoon, judge, 451st Judicial District – 433rd Operations Group
Dave Bonney, financial advisor, principal and district advisor, First Command– 433rd Operations Support Squadron
Sean Grindall, head of third-party distribution, USAA Life – 433rd Mission Support Group
Evelyn Carvajal, director of administration, Texas Diaper Bank– 433rd Mission Support Group
Constable Kathryn Brown, constable, Bexar County 4th Precinct – 433rd Mission Support Group
Sergio Gonzalez, recruitment/outreach coordinator, VIA– 433rd Medical Group