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Last week at Scott was busy, fun

  • Published
  • By Col. Mike Hornitschek
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  What an awesome week it was to be at Scott Air Force Base and in the surrounding communities! It began last Sunday night with Starlifter's concert that kicked off our first-ever Homecoming Week. Homecoming Week was designed to have multiple Scott AFB organizations open their doors to residents, workers, and families to educate them on the different mission's within the Scott AFB borders. This inaugural event included the security forces' military working dog demonstration; the fire department's vehicle and equipment demonstration; and tours of the Air Force Network Integration Center, the U.S.

Transportation Command's lobby and the Aeromedical Staging Facility. Homecoming Week activities also included tours of a C-40 the airfield and air traffic control tower. This might have been enough, but Team Scott was able to do more.

Months in the planning, television reporters from KMOV visited Scott this past week to highlight our team for KMOV's annual "On the Road" series of specials. The stories their team produced on Team Scott included one about our air traffic control team and a story on a mock physical training test featuring anchor Virginia Kerr. KMOV's visit culminated on Friday with live broadcasts throughout the day at USTRANSCOM's Transportation Plaza. It was an amazing opportunity to showcase Team Scott! Their live shots from the plaza included a short demonstration on heating (and tasting!) a Meal-Ready-to-Eat, Ms. Kerr displaying her pushup technique and an interview with Lt. Col. Sara Beyer, commander of the 375th Operational Support Squadron.

Also on Friday, we hosted our annual base picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Scott AFB community had plenty of food venues to choose from and there were quite a few activities for the younger members of Scott to take part in. In addition to our own picnic, Team Scott was invited as guests of honor at the town of O'Fallon's "Salute to Scott," where yet more food was offered, and more activities were available for adults and kids.

These activities and events did not just happen. They required a lot of planning, a lot of coordination, and a lot of hard work. A sincere "Thank You" goes out to the O'Fallon/Shiloh Chamber of Commerce who wholeheartedly showed their support of Scott AFB. Both picnics were free to Team Scott because of the generous support of our local businesses.

Their support is indicative of the great relationship Scott enjoys with our local communities. This relationship began ninety-four years ago this week, when Mr. Albert Lambert and members of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Board of Trade advocated for Scott Field's use as an aviation site to the War Department. On June 14th, 1917, the War Department agreed on Scott Field's suitability and leased 624 acres of land...land that is now Scott Air Force Base.

So while we have the community to thank for Scott's very existence, we have the hard-working men and women of the 375th Air Mobility Wing to thank for its successes as the Air Mobility Command's "Showcase Wing."

We have yet another opportunity to shine with the upcoming Compliance Inspection. While you continue to take part in the traditional American summer fare of picnics, barbecues and fun with your families, friends and neighbors, I ask you to re-double your efforts while concentrating on the inspection. Your continued diligence, time and attention to the details will help ensure the highest quality day-to-day operations and a successful conclusion to the inspection.