Strengthening bonds with the community

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, explains his egress equipment to members of Leadership Lowndes during a base visit March 17. Members of Leadership Lowndes were treated to a full demonstration by the A-10 East Demonstration team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 80-0194 with an A-10 shield on the ladder door.

by Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
23rd Wing Public Affairs

3/17/2011 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The bonds between a base and its community are very important. Mutual support benefits both partners in the critical relationship.

To strengthen the ties between the Lowndes County community and its leaders, Moody hosted Defenders Day. This is an event set up by the Leadership Lowndes committee that takes community leaders from around the area to visit Moody Air Force base to gain a better understanding of the 23rd Wing and its many roles. The events that made up this day gave a glimpse of Moody's role in the Air Force to the community.

"It's great to be able to come here and see the mission that is performed here first hand," said LeAnne McCall, Leadership Lowndes class member. "We are all amazed at how much Moody does and the missions they perform."

Each year new members from the community are chosen to be in a class. Those groups have different days where they interact and learn about certain parts of the community. During the Defense Day tour one Moody Airman is selected to join the class and view the base through the local community's perspective.

This year Col. Mark Ruse, 23rd Mission Support Group commander was chosen to accompany the group and help educate the class on what Moody does.

"Some of the people may have lived here their whole lives and think they know the mission that we perform here, said Colonel Ruse. "But with the mission ever changing what they thought we did may have already changed over the past years."

"The base is a big part of the community and we are a big part of them so interacting like this will only strengthen our bonds," added Colonel Ruse. "We get to go out into the community a lot and get to know these people and see what they do but it's not often that we can bring them here and show them what we can do."

This group of civic leaders was able to spend one day on Moody and learn what happens behind the gates. They now know that Moody is not just airplanes. More important, they understand the base is made up of thousands of men and women, who maintain, defend and support the mission every day.

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