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Honorary commanders go behind the scenes of Shaw

U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, speaks with commanders and their appointed honorary commanders during lunch at the Chief Emerson Dining Facility, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 17, 2015. As part of the honorary commander program, an annual tour is held to show the community Shaw AFB missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

Honorary commanders go behind the scenes of Shaw

Mark Mossell, honorary commander for the 20th Operations Group deputy commander with First Citizens Bank, looks through the sight of an M-249 automatic rifle at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 17, 2015. During the annual honorary commanders tour, 20th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms instructors displayed unarmed weaponry to show the community members some of the firearms Shaw AFB uses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

Honorary commanders go behind the scenes of Shaw

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler McMillan-Wammack, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal apprentice, speaks to honorary commanders of the community the EOD 9 bomb suit and helmet at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 17, 2015. The honorary commander program was initiated 15 years ago to promote public awareness of the missions, policies, and programs of Shaw AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

Honorary commanders go behind the scenes of Shaw

U.S. Air Force Capt. Craig Baker, F-16 Viper Demo Team pilot, taxis in from a demonstration for the honorary commanders at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 17, 2015. After three years of inactivity, the Viper Demo Team will be performing all over the United States until Nov. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

Honorary commanders go behind the scenes of Shaw

Published March 27, 2015
By Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Leaders from the community were invited to tour Shaw Air Force Base as part of the honorary commanders program, Mar. 16, 2015.

The honorary commanders program was created to promote public awareness of the missions, policies, and programs of Shaw AFB and, by proxy, the entire Air Force.

Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, led the tour, which included various shops on base, and explained their importance to the mission.

"The reason for the tour was to show the community leaders a little bit of what the base does behind the scenes," said Jost. "They saw a Viper Team demonstration, a brief base tour, 20th Security Forces squadron military working dog kennels and demonstration, 20th SFS Combat Arms weaponry, and explosive ordinance disposal equipment."

The program has been in effect for 15 years, the honorary commanders are changed out approximately every two years.

"I've learned something new every single time I've come out," said Thomas McElveen, South Carolina State Senator. "It's extremely important that my constituents know what's going on out here, not only from a defense standpoint but for our local economy and good of our community, because Shaw has been a great community partner for many years now."

Giving the community the opportunity to see Shaw behind the scenes is important because it fosters relationships and helps to tell the Air Force story and why the military is here.

"I'm very appreciative of what the military does for our country and what they do here locally," said McElveen. "It's always something new and very interesting. (During previous visits) I hadn't gotten the opportunity to see EOD or the MWD, so they were very interesting to see. It's always great to come out here and hear about the mission of Shaw and I'm appreciative of the opportunity."

Jost plans on getting as many people from the community who haven't been exposed to the base and the program. The next HCC tour is forecasted to be held in 2016.

"The most interesting thing I've learned today that I'm taking with me is the Air Force is operating with the smallest numbers, busiest you've ever been and oldest aircraft," said McElveen. "It's always great to come out, I'm very appreciative, and others should most certainly come out to learn the mission of the 20th FW."