Apps, Art & Appreciation! Published May 2, 2012 By Col. Mike Hornitschek 375th Air Mobility Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- If you haven't heard by now, there's a new app in town that I think you're going to be excited about! It's called "My Military Communities" or rather "MyMC2" and is delivery system where you can get the latest news about events happening on base right in your own phone! Because we're such mobile generation, it's not enough to just post information on our main website, www.scott.af.mil; we want to bring all that information to you, and now we can thanks to our software engineers with the 375th Communications Support Squadron. They've done an incredible job in a short amount of time to launch the app, which became available on Android and Apple phone platforms this week--May 1. You'll see the full story in this week's paper, and on our public website, that explains how the app works in detail, but really it's a just a few clicks and you can see what's happening at the base on any given day. Better yet, as more installations come online with this tool, you can see what's happening at their bases too! I just add a personal plea for all the organizational Facebook administrators to ensure you're putting in your data, as truly the success of this hinges upon everyone letting us know what is going on around base. If you don't see your organization represented, please get with my Public Affairs team to get the appropriate access. As great as this app is, I know there is untold potential to keep making this a one-stop place where we can go to get information about our bases, especially the helping agencies that we should have at our fingertips. I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this as your feedback will help us continue to chart the course for how we conduct business ... and "help others be more successful" as well. I also had the chance this week to check up on the mural that local textile artist Claudia Gullett is creating for our new Student Union, which is scheduled to open in June. The mural takes up the entire basement floor! It's wonderfully crafted, and I can't wait until everyone else gets to see it for the first time as it represents our heritage and local communities and the hometown feel that is found at Team Scott. You may have seen a sneak peek on our Facebook page, which is nearing another incredible milestone of 6,000 fans, and if so, you'll notice the details and expertise she puts into this piece. It's truly a Showcase work of art! As Polly and I prepare for our final weeks of command, we couldn't be more happy to have a chance to close it out with some meaningful events that include the Key Spouse Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, May 7, and the annual Belle-Scott Enlisted Dinner on Thursday, May 10. Key Spouses play an integral part in helping commanders ensure Airmen and their families are welcomed to Scott, know where to go for assistance and understand the many programs and resources available to them. Polly and I have seen the difference it makes when we get involved in the base community, and our Key Spouses are integral in helping our families make those connections. It brings us closer together, and we develop friends for life along the way. People from around the Air Force look to see how our Key Spouse program is set up here, and we're proud to have focused this last year in way that build the resilience of our Airmen, spouses and families. Scott AFB has 114 Key Spouses and 39 mentors who've been there for our team. These spouses provided support to a family here on a humanitarian assignment, helped a family through the sudden passing of a spouse, provided child care for deployed spouses, organized meals when a Wingman battled cancer, rallied to donate supplies to tornado victims in Joplin, Mo., started a base walking group and help with many team building events just to name a few! Not only are Key Spouses valuable assets but they are also people in key leadership roles who go above and beyond the call of duty! Thank you for what you do! For the annual Belle-Scott gala, more than 100 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coastguardsmen will join with business and community leaders for an evening of music, fine dining and recognition. This follows the tradition set long ago from a committee whose goal was to foster communication and fellowship between the base and local civic leaders. The Belle-Scott Committee provides unconditional support, friendship and loyalty to Team Scott personnel and has done so for 62 years. It's the nation's oldest civic support group to a military installation, and as a group they organize and support a variety of programs and initiatives; all of which are targeted at helping Scott's servicemembers and their families. It's been our honor to associate with these community members, and indeed all of the Greater Scott community leaders and members who've been so supportive of our servicemembers and our families throughout the years. Every day I've been impressed with the men and women of this wing and installation, and stand in awe of all the things we've accomplished together these past two years. We're not done yet, so keeping doing all those great things you do to Enable Combat Power and provide the best customer service to everyone at Team Scott!