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Local clergy members visit Scott

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill --  Clergy members from Scott's surrounding communities toured the base during Clergy Day to gain a better understanding of its mission Aug. 12. 

"Chaplains are here to help people, but churches off base can also help military people," said Capt. (Ch.) Fussell, 375th Airlift Wing chaplain. "They just need to better understand the things they do and why: why they deploy, what happens to their families when they deploy, what happens to them when they deploy and what helps and what does not help." 

Clergy Day is held often to allow clergy members off base to meet with those on base. 

"Clergy people are important in the surrounding communities because not only do they provide religious services, but they are leaders who can influence people," said Chaplain Fussell. 

Clergy Day began with a welcome briefing by the chapel staff. Col. Al Hunt, former 375th Airlift Wing commander, then gave a briefing of JTF Scott's mission. After, the group proceeded to the mobility line. 

The next stop was the Belleville dormitory. The group received a briefing by Master Sgt. Derek Madison, dorm superintendent, and toured the dorms. Staff Sgt. Charles Stewart, Airman Ministry Center director, also briefed the group on the Airman Ministry Center. 

The Airman and Family Readiness Center was next, where they briefed about their support services to Airmen. Finally, the last stop was the Tanker Airlift Control Center. 

The group also received briefings while on the bus enroute to their destinations. 

"Airman 1st Class Hollie Crowson gave a phenomenal brief on her perspective of what it is like to be deployed," Chaplain Fussell said.
Airman Crowson is a 375th Security Force Squadron installation entry controller. 

Clergy Day meets the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's priority to reestablish relations with the community. Scott has done other things to accomplish this including renaming the dormitories and six C-21's after surrounding communities. 

"It was good to be able to connect with local clergy members and establish ministry connections," said Chaplain Fussell. "Our goal is to provide more understanding to the mission and interaction between the local clergy members and base population."