Abilene leaders get acquainted with Dyess

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shannon Hall
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Leadership Abilene members toured Dyess Air Force Base March 7 to get more familiar with the Airmen and the mission they work to accomplish every day.

Each year, 34 to 36 participants from different city organizations are selected to participate in Leadership Abilene, a program sponsored by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and intended to develop proficient leaders. The members meet once a month from September through May to learn about Abilene's strengths, its obstacles and to help them establish leadership skills.

"The reason for this tour is to bring awareness to community leaders," said Vicky Smedley, Leadership Abilene coordinator. "If the person has never served in the military, then they don't really understand the importance and the happenings taking place on base. This gives them an opportunity to get more involved and receive more knowledge on the military as a whole."

During their visit the members learned how the Abilene community plays a role in the Dyess mission and the day-to-day operations of the B-1B Lancer and C-130J Super Hercules. They also visited different facilities like explosive ordinance disposal, Airmen's dorms, the fire station, the B-1 simulator and got a static tour on the flightline of the B-1 and C-130.

"I love the relationship that Dyess and Abilene have," said John Jeziorske, Leadership Abilene participant. "I'm sure most people will say their favorite part of the tour was the flightline or B-1 simulator, but mine was definitely the people."

This tour takes place once a year and is organized and conducted by a different Airman every year.

Bringing Leadership Abilene to spend a day with the Airmen of Team Dyess also helps build a strong bond between the base and community and makes it easier to work together, Jeziorske said.

"As a 22-year Air Force veteran that has served at different bases, I can say that I have never seen a community as devoted to their military base like Abilene," Jeziorske said. "I appreciated the focus on the people who work to accomplish the mission, officer and enlisted. The best thing we can do is continue the strong relationship we already have."