62nd AW hosts Honorary Commanders Change of Command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The 62nd Airlift Wing held a ceremony May 31 to recognize community leaders who will be part of the Honorary Commanders Program.

The Honorary Commanders Program, which pairs community leaders with commanders at McChord Field, seeks to educate and increase the knowledge and understanding of key civic leaders about the Air Force and the installation through social and official functions.

"We have three primary goals we hope to achieve through your participation in this program," Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd AW commander, said to the honorary commanders. "The first is to give you an insight into the community of Airmen here and the Air Force as a whole through direct, personal involvement. Second, our Airmen will benefit through increased association with you, our key community leaders. Finally, we hope to build long-lasting friendships that will benefit everyone."

This year, seven new honorary commanders were recognized as they begin their two-year term, while seven honorary commanders will continue in the program for a second year.

The new honorary commanders are:
62 AW vice commander - Vicky Nelson, Harborstone Credit Union business development manager
62nd Maintenance Group - Dave Radcliffe, Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse owner
62nd Medical Squadron - Shelly Schlumpf, Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce president
4th Airlift Squadron - Devin Craig, Starbucks district manager
10th AS - Jaimie Garrett, Cobalt Mortgage senior loan consultant
62nd Operations Support Squadron - Jeff Lang, RE/MAX Town and Country broker
62nd Comptroller Squadron - Cheryl Mamiya, Hampton Inn and Suites in Puyallup general manager
627th Logistics Readiness Squadron - Jim Amador, Port of Olympia marine terminal director

The continuing honorary commanders are:
62 AW commander - Steve Keller, Kel-Tech Plastics owner
62nd Operations Group - Mary Moss, Lakewood City councilmember
7th AS - Ken Luce, Luce and Associates shareholder
8th AS - Gary Beck, Alaska Airlines vice president of flight operations
62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron - Donna Haines, Coinforce co-owner
62nd Aerial Port Squadron - Tom Embleton, FEDEX senior operations manager
62nd Maintenance Squadron - Dr. John Walstrum, Clover Park Technical College president

During the ceremony, the wing's only Honorary Command Chief, Carlene Joseph, Pierce Military and Business Alliance president, was also recognized.

"I couldn't have picked a better person to be the Honorary Command Chief," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Drake, 62nd AW command chief. "Whenever I need something for our Airmen and families, she always seems to know who I can talk to."

Honorary commanders were selected from among non-federal elected or appointed officials, mayors, chamber of commerce-type group members, principals of local schools, Military Affairs Committee members and others who, because of their position or influence in the community, can positively impact public support for the base.

"We look forward to your participation," said Elder. "I know your time with us will be a treasured, lasting relationship."