Holloman announces 2009 honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 49th Fighter Wing kicked off its annual Honorary Commander Program Feb. 19 when 37 members of the civilian community were introduced to their respective commanders during a reception at the Raptor's Nest.

The purpose of the Honorary Commander Program is to increase public awareness and understanding of the armed forces and the missions, policies, programs and people assigned to Holloman and its tenant units. Another goal of the program is to bring together members of the communities near Holloman and help the base keep a pulse on community concerns.

"Tonight's reception marks the start of a long tradition that brings key members of the community and Holloman leaders together," said Col. Jeffrey Harrigian, 49th FW commander. "This year we expanded the program to include community leaders, not just from Alamogordo, but from Cloudcroft, Tularosa, La Luz and Lincoln County because they are also an integral part of Holloman's continued success and longevity."

This year's honorary commanders are not only civic leaders, but bankers, school administrators, chamber members, law enforcement officials and business owners. Also included in this year's program are new tenant unit commanders from the 301st Fighter Wing, Det. 1 and the 29th Attack Squadron.

The 2009 honorary commanders and their units are: 49 FW commander - Steve Brockett, mayor - Alamogordo, and Toots Green, base wingman; 49 FW vice commander - Dave Venable, mayor - Cloudcroft; 49 FW judge advocate - Diana Martwick, Alamogordo district attorney; 49 FW anti-terror - Norbert Sanchez, undersheriff, Otero County; 49 FW protocol - Sonya Roberts, Coldwell Banker; 49 FW public affairs - Bob Flotte, owner, KUPR/KPSA radio; 49 FSS - Brandon Burling, general manager, Desert Sun Toyota; 49 CPTS - Regina Colbert, senior vice president, Otero Federal Credit Union; 49 OG - Bobby Martinez, owner, Desert Sun Motors; 7 FS - Jim French, French Brothers Inc.; 49 OSS - Tom Stewart, manager, Lincoln County; 49 MXG - Linda Gulley, president, Alamo Forum; 49 MXS - Lisa Thomassie, general manager, The Lodge Resort and Spa in Cloudcroft; 49 AMXS - Frank Borunda, member services advisor, Otero County Electric Co-op; 49 MOS - Randall Hayes, director, New Mexico Museum of Space History; 49 MSG - Carl Bartley, chief executive officer, City Bank-Ruidoso; 49 CES - Lance Tade, vice president, Tularosa Basin Telephone Co.; 49 SFS - Steve Higgs, regional U.S. border patrol agent; 49 CS - Bill Burt, base wingman; 49 LRS - Tim McGinn, owner, McGinn's Pastachio Ranch; 49 CONS - Jason Baldwin, director, Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce; 49 MDG - Jim Heckert, chief executive officer, Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center; 49 MDSS - Eileen MacMillan, program director, Big Brother Big Sisters; 49 AMDS - Cheri Jimeno, chief executive officer, New Mexico State University - Alamogordo; 49 MDOS - Cynthia West, civic leader, Ruidoso; 49 MMG - Millie Woods, civic leader, Ruidoso; 49 MMS - Mike Harris, superintendent, Alamogordo Public Schools; 49 MMSS - Maurice Gutierrez, owner, Comet Cleaners; German Air Force - Ernest Martinez, owner, Bar-M Construction, Inc.; 46 TG - Ray Nunley, mayor - Ruidoso; 586 FLTS - Rex Hunter, National Solar Observatory; 746 TS - Donna Owens, Lincoln National Forest Superintendent; 846 TS - Dwight Harp, base wingman; 4 SPCC - Mike Shinabery, education specialist, New Mexico Museum of Space History; AFOSI Det 225 - James Greene, asst. agent in charge, U.S. Border Patrol; 301 FW, Det. 1 - Tim Rabon, partner, Mesa Verde Enterprises; and 29 ATKS - Allen Gorby, vice president, Jack Wayte Construction.

The new honorary commanders will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of events and activities to include awards programs, changes of command, holiday parties and commanders' calls. Honorary commanders can also introduce Southern New Mexico to their military counterparts as new commanders PSC into the area.

In addition, Holloman's commanders will have the opportunity to visit with their honorary commanders in both personal and professional settings as they establish new ties and share in the exchange of information.

The honorary commanders will have the opportunity to tour Holloman in March as they take part in a base tour which will include a driving tour at BEAR Base, an F-22 launch and a stop at the German Air Force Flying Training Center.

For additional information and photos, please check the Holloman web site at www.holloman.af.mil.