1st SOW welcomes new honorary commanders

Published Oct. 1, 2009
By Amy Oliver
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 1st Special Operations Wing welcomed its newest honorary commanders Sept. 25 with an introduction to the wing's mission and a banquet.

The 1st SOW Honorary Commanders Program, which began in 2004, is a year-long program designed to build and maintain solid, mutually beneficial relationships between the local communities and Hurlburt Field. The program allows select local community leaders frequent opportunities to visit Hurlburt Field and learn about the mission, to participate in base functions and to express their views on issues of mutual concern. The program includes tours each of the four groups in the wing throughout the year and a flight in a 1st SOW aircraft.

"I see this as a tremendous opportunity to work together with the military in facing the upcoming challenges the area will experience in terms of population growth, expanding infrastructure and other obstacles faced by the military and the community," said Peter Bos, 1st SOW honorary commander. "My interaction with the military, from a civilian standpoint, will help me better understand the military's mission and ensure better planning for the future. I look forward to hearing the military's perspective on matters that will affect us both."

In addition to the quarterly tours, the honorary commanders will be invited to base events such as awards ceremonies, Operation Homecoming and changes of command, and they will be immersed into their assigned unit as much as possible, giving them hands-on experience in the program.

"During the next year, the honorary commanders will meet 1st SOW Air Commandos and will learn of the specialized capabilities along with the associated risks inherent to the special operations mission that make the 1st SOW the most relevant wing in the current overseas contingency operations," said Col. Greg Lengyel, 1st SOW commander.

"We hope they apply this knowledge to promote continued awareness and encouragement within the community. Without their support, our men and women would not be able to maintain the wartime operations tempo that's become our way of life for the past eight years."

As the program has become more well-known in the community, nominees from across the Florida Panhandle spill in each year, making the selection process challenging.

To date, the program has produced 39 Hurlburt Field ambassadors in the community. Recently, many of these former honorary commanders formed a 1st SOW Honorary Commander Alumni Association to maintain their connection to the Air Commando family.

"They are not only honorary commanders, but as leaders in the community, they are part of the extended Air Force family," Colonel Lengyel said.

"I am speechless at the wonderful love in which I have been shown by all of you at Hurlburt," said Lori Allgood, 2008-2009 1st Special Operations Group honorary commander. "I already have some ideas for the Honorary Commander Alumni Association. You all have wowed me!"

The 2009-2010 SOW Honorary Commanders are:
Peter Bos, Chairman and CEO, Legendary Inc. (1st Special Operations Wing)
Kevin Locht, Owner/President, Corporate Benefits of the Emerald Coast Inc. (1st Special Operations Wing Command Chief)
Jackie Blue, Director of Sales and Marketing, Southern Ventures (1st Special Operations Group)
Vickie Warner, Director of Marketing, ResortQuest (1st Special Operations Maintenance Group)
Al Herndon, EMS Chief, Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety (1st Special Operations Medical Group)
Dr. John "Jack" Azzaretto, Vice Provost Extended Programs and Regional Development Dean University of West Florida Emerald Coast (1st Special Operations Mission Support Group)
Rev. Paul Kummer, Senior Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church (1st SOW Chaplain)