Community recognized as best in AMC

Jay Chesshir (left), Little Rock Air Force Base community council president, is presented the Abilene Trophy June 15 by Gray Bridwell and Kristina Jones, Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee members. The prestigious Abilene Trophy is presented annually to the best civilian community with the most outstanding support to a nearby Air Mobility Command base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chris Willis)

Community recognized as best in AMC

(From right to left) Kristina Jones and Gray Bridwell, Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee members, present the Abilene Trophy to Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, who then handed it off to Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher. Mayor Fletcher passed the trophy to other area city representatives to symbolically represent the continued support each of the areas' cities show to the members of Team Little Rock.

Community named best in command

Published June 16, 2010
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Team Little Rock community members celebrated winning the prestigious Abilene Trophy, Air Mobility Command's Community Support Award, Tuesday at the Little Rock AFB Community Council luncheon.

"Our community partners in Central Arkansas are an enabler force unlike any other in the command, and I believe in the Air Force. Their continued support and dedication to the men and women of Little Rock Air Force Base are legendary and have been for years," said Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander. "This isn't the last time this trophy will be won by this community."

The Abilene Trophy is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby 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.

"You have a wonderful team put together," said Gray Bridwell, Abilene Chamber of Commerce representative. "You do the honorary commanders program. You do the Airman's Attic. You do some of the significant things that help the men and women of the base."

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 Department of Defense has committed $10 million for the project, and the city of Jacksonville voted to support it with another $5 million of their own.
Airpower Arkansas, a group of local community members, raised funds for the base's open house collecting over $50,000 from local businesses and individuals.
Community members donated over $22,000 in support of the Little Rock Air Force Base teams at the 2009 Rodeo competition, supporting them as they brought home nine trophies including Best C-130 Wing in the World.
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.

"These are just [four] highlights of the many things [the community] has done during the past year to support our mission and Airmen," said Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander. "Bottom line: You make us better."

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe was in attendance during the presentation of the award.

(From compiled reports)