HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Team Hurlburt hosted a change of command ceremony for honorary commanders at the Soundside Club here, Sept. 19.
As the old honorary commanders transition out, 11 new members from the local community will serve a one year term as new honorary commanders for various Hurlburt units.
The Honorary Commanders program began a decade ago with the intent to educate influential members of local communities about the Air Force and Hurlburt Field. To increase public support, community leaders are invited to see firsthand the base’s mission and what Airmen do on a daily basis.
“Being a part of this program gave me a feel for the men and women who serve,” said Brian Ekedahl, executive director, Emerald Coast Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Ekedahl served as the Honorary Command Chief for the 1st Special Operations Wing from 2013 to 2014.
While participating in the program, community leaders will have opportunities to tour Hurlburt, learn about Air Force operations and attend events pertaining to their respective unit affiliations.
“It is my desire to participate in learning about Air Force units and to receive general information about developments with the Air Force,” said John Holguin, chief operations officer, Okaloosa Tax Collectors Office.
Holguin will be the new honorary commander for the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group for the 2014-2015 year.
“I want to serve as a facilitator between Team Hurlburt and the Northwest Florida community,” said Holguin. “[I also want] to seek support, promote and foster stronger community relations with those associated with Hurlburt, while maintaining a feeling of family.”
During the event the outgoing honorary commanders were thanked for their participation in the program and the new honorary commanders were welcomed.
“This program was a wonderful, educational experience,” said Ron Raybourne, previous Honorary Command Chief of 24th Special Operations Wing and vice president and general manager of Apex Broadcasting. “I learned things that I would have never been able to see or learn about if not for this program.”
After the official ceremony, all members were given a special operations capabilities demonstration; witnessing a call for fire with an AC-130 gunship run, CV-22 infiltration and exfiltration and a special tactics engagement.
The new Team Hurlburt 2014-2015 Honorary Commanders are:
-1 SOW: Mr. Skip Foster, Publisher, Northwest Florida Daily News, Destin Log, Walton Sun and Crestview News-Bulletin
-1 SOW: Mr. Leo Gadwa, Owner, Beach Castle Cigars
-1 SOMSG: Mr. Nathan Sparks, Executive Director, Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County
-1 SOMXG: Mr. John Holguin, Chief Operations Officer, Okaloosa County Tax Collectors Office
-1 SOMDG: Ms. Amanda Stevens, Government Operations Consultant, Okaloosa County Health Department
-1 SOG: Mr. Taylor Hood, General Manager/ Vice President of Preston Hood Chevrolet
-1 SOW/CCC: Mr. Brad Bowman, Owner, Hickory River Smokehouse
-505 CCW: Mr. Matt McGee, Vice President, First City Bank, Broker, Livin Right Real Estate
-505 TRG: Lt. Eric Aden, Criminal Investigations Division, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
-24 SOW: Mr. Bob Seton, Owner/CEO, Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy Center, LLC
-AFSOAWC: Mr. Larry Keefe, Attorney/Partner; Keefe, Anchors & Gordon, P.A.