Alamo Wing welcomes newest Honorary Commanders

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND --  Fourteen San Antonio civic and business leaders were inducted into the 433rd Airlift Wing's Honorary Commanders Program during a ceremony March 7 in downtown San Antonio.

The ceremony, hosted by the 433rd AW commander, Col. William W. Whittenberger, Jr. is a time-honored tradition, signifying the important ties between the military and civilian communities.

"Thank you for participating in the 433rd Airlift Wing Honorary Commanders Program," said Whittenberger to his guests. "I know how challenging it is to share one of life's, most valuable resources -- your time. It is our honor to have you as an Honorary Commander to collaborate with our wing. I consider you a key leadership element in strengthening the bond between the San Antonio community and the 433rd Airlift Wing."

The Honorary Commanders Program is an executive-level program intended as a forum in which the 433rd AW commander can solicit advice and support from civic leaders on matters affecting military and civilian communities, while cementing the already strong ties between the Alamo Wing and the San Antonio community.
Also in attendance at this year's event, was Brig. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., 4th Air Force commander and Chief Master Sgt. Brian C.L. Wong, 4th AF command chief master sergeant, who were visiting the Alamo Wing.

During the ceremony, the general spoke on the significance of the Honorary Commanders program and its ability to provide community leaders with unique insight into the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

"...Because of that constant dialog and relationship, and now if you have employees in your midst, who are service members, whether they are Guard, Reserve, Army or Air Force, it doesn't matter. Now when they have to go serve, you'll know and understand what they're doing,  and that they are not just going out to the base and having a bunch of picnics and barbecues," said the general. "They are wearing chemical gear and they are making sure they are qualified to do exactly what our active duty counterparts are doing at the same standard.

"So congratulations and thank you for stepping up to this because I know it is a sacrifice out of your own time away from your families to be here. I can't thank you enough for everything that you're doing."

Each of the Alamo Wing's Honorary Commanders is paired with a leader from within the wing. Throughout the year, the civilian and military counterparts get to know one another, which allows the community leaders to understand the importance of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and its mission, and in turn giving military leaders a better understanding and appreciation of the community in which they live.

During the ceremony, each honorary commander participated in a reenactment of an official military change of command ceremony - taking the unit's guidon from the "mock outgoing" military commander. The outgoing commanders then present the honorary commanders with an Air Force Commander's Insignia pin. The Commander's Insignia is awarded to any Air Force officer who holds a major command billet in the United States Air Force.

While only 14 of this year's Alamo Wing Honorary Commanders participated in the ceremony, there are 24 in all.

This year's Honorary Commanders include:
Chuck Bunch, consultant, Forward March Inc.; Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, franchised restaurant owner, Chick-fil-a, S.W. Military Drive;  Linda Cubero, Warrior to Work Specialist, Wounded Warrior Project; Glen Gross, Chief of the Gastroenterology Division, University of Texas Health Science Center,  San Antonio; Lacy Hampton, Vice President of college services, St. Phillip's College; Dr. Milton Harris, President and Chairman of the Board, 100 Black Men of San Antonio Inc.; Michael A. Jolla, Senior Pastor, West End Baptist Church, San Antonio; David Kitchen, Regional Director of operations, Glazer's Distributors of Texas; Kelly Lerch, Group Talent Acquisition Manager, Enterprise Holdings of South Texas; Audrey Magnuson, Director, University of San Antonio-Career Center; Nathan McKinley, Vice President, USAA's Military Affinity Group; Ted Murphree, Assistant City of Attorney, City of San Antonio; John Nau, CEO, Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.; Amy Norton, Director of Business Development, Provenir; Jackson Ombaba, M.D., South Texas Hand Center; Travis Pearson, Chief Executive Officer, Family Endeavors, Inc.; Edward Pape, President, Vaquero Consulting Group;  Joe A. Perez, Associate Director, South Texas Veterans Health Care System; Steven Richmond, President and Director of Maintenance, Pizza Hut of San Antonio; Janice Ricks, Vice President, Lester Industries, Inc; Dave Saylor, Owner, Acadiana Café; John Iiyama Smith, Immigration Services Officer, Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Office, San Antonio; Catherine Torres-Stahl, General Counsel, Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department and Adjunct Professor, University of Texas and Alan Warrick, II, City Councilman for District 2.