TLR welcomes Arkansas Governor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aaron Irvin
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Team Little Rock members welcomed Gov. Asa Hutchinson to a quarterly Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council meeting at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Aug. 13, 2019.

During his remarks, Hutchinson, who is serving his second term as governor of Arkansas, discussed efforts to improve quality of life for military members and their families.

“My priority as governor is to make Arkansas a military-friendly state,” Hutchinson said. “We want to send the signal that Arkansas welcomes military families. We support them with initiatives that sends the strongest signal that we are grateful for your service and we want to be a part of your life, and the community wants to be a part of your mission.”

Recently, the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council earned the Abilene Trophy, an award presented to the community that provides the most outstanding support to any base in the Air Mobility Command.

“Little Rock Air Force Base is the only base in AMC to win this award three times in the last decade,” said U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte, 19th Airlift Wing commander. “This is not only a testament to what TLR is accomplishing but to the support you provide us. There is no way we could accomplish these successes if it wasn’t for the support of this amazing community.”

Hutchinson echoed the same sentiment.

“It really goes to show that there’s not a community in the nation that is more dedicated to an Air Force base than the community in support of Little Rock Air Force Base,” Hutchinson said.

Earlier this year, Hutchinson signed the bill into law providing automatic licensure for military spouses and veterans easing the challenges of relocation.

The community council also received a $377,000 military affairs grant program award that has helped Jacksonville High School develop a first-of-its-kind cyber security training curriculum. It was part of the Military Affairs Initiative, which was announced in 2015 and is designed to support and grow military installations in Arkansas.

“I’m grateful for the men and women on this base that do not drop the flag of the United States of America,” Hutchinson said. “You carry the banner of freedom, you carry the defense of our country globally, nationally and we’re grateful for it. That is why Arkansas is delighted to partner with you as a community to make sure this base remains strong in the defense of our country.”