Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council wins Abilene Trophy

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joe Knable
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Little Rock Air Force Base and its community council won the prestigious 2009 Abilene Trophy, the Air Mobility Command's Community Support Award, which was announced March 31.

The Abilene Trophy is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to an AMC base and the winner is determined by a selection group of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee in Texas with final approval by AMC.

"It is with great pride and enthusiasm I have the privilege of announcing that you won this year's Abilene Trophy -- the best community in all of AMC!" said Col. Greg Otey, Little Rock AFB installation commander. "The council's steadfast support of the base, its missions and its people haven't gone unnoticed. I've said many times that we are blessed to have such a supportive local community, and this award validates everything I've been saying since I arrived here last year."

Little Rock AFB is the "Home of C-130 Combat Airlift" largely due to the outstanding relationship among its three wings and community partners. The relationship between the base and local community remains as strong today as when it began in the 1950s. Strong community support is integral to the base's ability to accomplish its mission.

A few examples of the community's support for the base in 2009 include:

- Officials broke ground on a new Joint Education Center, a higher-learning institution open to both military members and civilians alike on base property, but just outside the fence. The city of Jacksonville voted to support it with $5 million of their own.

- Airpower Arkansas raised funds for the base's 2010 Airshow, collecting more than $50,000 from local businesses and individuals.

- Community members donated more than $22,000 in support of the Little Rock AFB RODEO teams. In addition to the outstanding financial support, many attended the pre-departure breakfast and the post-RODEO celebrations, and a few community members even accompanied the Little Rock AFB RODEO teams to the competition.

- Civic leaders sponsored base events including the Air Force Ball, the Annual Awards Ceremony and the Black Knight Heritage Dinner providing deep ticket price discounts for Airmen. These leaders also took time on Thanksgiving and Christmas to serve meals to Airmen at the base dining facility.

"The Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council, together with central Arkansas communities, has diligently served the men and women of the Little Rock AFB for over 50 years," said Jay Chessir, Little Rock AFB Community Council president. "It is a prestigious honor to have this service recognized through the awarding of the Abilene Trophy. The Community Council is honored to be the 2009 recipient and extremely proud to be the Home of C-130 Combat Airlift."

A traveling trophy will be presented to the Little Rock AFB Community Council during a formal presentation on a date to be determined, and the council will display the trophy until the next winner is named. A smaller, permanent trophy will be presented at the 2011 Spring Rally when the traveling trophy is presented to the next recipient.