Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders

Published May 25, 2023
By Hannah Carranza
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Two men speak on stage. — Col. Christopher Meeker, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, invites Chris Kershner, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce president, up on stage during the community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Kirshner is also participating in Wright-Patt’s Honorary Commander Program and is partnered with Meeker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 88th Air Base Wing hosted local community and business, leaders, honorary commanders, and elected officials for a community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, May 19.

The event, held in conjunction with National Police Week, also had local law enforcement officials in attendance to celebrate their connection to Wright-Patt through their mutual aid agreement with the base.

“We wanted to take this opportunity, with Police Week, to highlight our partnerships with the local police departments and our 88th Security Forces Squadron,” said Col. Christopher Meeker, 88th Air Base Wing commander. “Everything we do together is in sync, and we wanted to take this time to say, ‘thank you’ for being such great partners.”

People listen to a speaker. — Greene County, Ohio, law enforcement officers listen to Col. Christopher Meeker, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, during the community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The event, held in conjunction with National Police Week, also had local law enforcement officials in attendance to celebrate their partnership with Wright-Patt through mutual aid agreement with the base.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

Scott Anger, Greene County Sheriff, attended the event and said that, while their uniforms may look different, Wright-Patt security forces and his policemen are all working towards the same goal.

“Police Week is important because it shows some of the meaningful partnerships we have between the different law enforcement throughout the county,” Anger said. “Whether it be local, military, or state, we are all on the same team.”

Local law enforcement and the 88th Security Forces Squadron gather for a group photo. — Local law enforcement and the 88th Security Forces Squadron gather for a group photo during the community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The event, held in conjunction with National Police Week, also had local law enforcement officials in attendance to celebrate their connection to Wright-Patt through their mutual aid agreement with the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

Children look at the explosive ordinance disposal booth. — Staff Sgt. Matthew McCracken, 88th Civil Engineer Squadron’s explosive ordinance disposal Airmen, answers questions from young attendees at the EOD display during a community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The event, held in conjunction with National Police Week, also had local law enforcement officials in attendance to celebrate their connection to Wright-Patt through their mutual aid agreement with the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

Attendees also had the opportunity to view a variety of demonstrations and displays that highlighted Air Force capabilities on Wright-Patt. These included a military working dog demonstration, an explosive ordnance disposal demonstration, and exhibits by Wright-Patt's fire department, Emergency Management, 88th Medical Group, the Air Force Marathon and a virtual reality station by the 388th Recruiting Squadron.

The Air Force Band of Flight performs. — The Air Force Band of Flight performs during the community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Attendees also had the opportunity to view a variety of demonstrations and displays that highlighted Air Force capabilities on Wright-Patt. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

“I know people who spent their whole lives in Dayton and don’t have any idea all the great things going on the other side of the fence,” said Ted Bucaro, University of Dayton government relations director and participant in the Honorary Commanders Program. “It’s been wonderful.”

The rest of the evening included an energetic performance by the Air Force Band of Flight, a ribbon cutting for the newly-renovated Wings Grille sponsored by the Dayton Development Coalition and Meeker playing guitar and singing with Sarah Mays, the mayor of Xenia.

“Dayton is Wright-Patt, and Wright-Patt is Dayton,” said Jeff Hoagland, Dayton Development Coalition president. “So, we wanted to thank you for all you do for Dayton, our state and, more importantly, our country.”

Meeker said he was thankful to be part of a 100-years-strong relationship between the base and the local community.

“There is no better partnership than the one we have here with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the greater Dayton area.”

A fire fighter shows a child a diver boat. — Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders

Duane White, Wright-Patterson Fire Department assistant chief, shows Greyson Kling, 5, the WPFB diver boat during a community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The event, held in conjunction with National Police Week, also had local law enforcement officials in attendance to celebrate their connection to Wright-Patt through their mutual aid agreement with the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders

People sing together on a stage. — Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders

Col. Christopher Meeker, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, plays guitar and sings with Sarah Mays, Xenia mayor and the Air Force Band of Flight during the community reception at The Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Attendees also had the opportunity to view a variety of demonstrations and displays that highlighted Air Force capabilities on Wright-Patt. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hannah Carranza)

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders

A group of people cut the ribbon for the Wings Grille. — Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders

(From left) Nancy Adams, 88th Force Support Squadron deputy director: Audric Bills, 88 FSS director; an unidentified club member, Col. Christopher Meeker, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander; and Jeff Hoagland, Dayton Development Coalition president, cut the ribbon to the newly renovated Wings Grille during the community reception at the Wright-Patt Club on May 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Attendees also had the opportunity to view a variety of demonstrations and displays that highlighted Air Force capabilities on Wright-Patt.

SLIDESHOW | images | Wright-Patt hosts community reception for local leaders