Wright-Patterson AFB holds Legacy of Faith Community Luncheon at the National Museum of United States Air Force to honor Chaplains

  • Published
  • By Sarah Pond
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Wright- Patterson Air Force Base held the Legacy of Faith Community Luncheon on May 19 to honor the Air Force Chaplains amongst community attendees.

The luncheon consisted of some 130 attendees from the base and surrounding communities to celebrate the importance of faith in service. Clergy from various religious denominations of the local community were present.

88th Air Base Wing Chaplain Colonel Joshua Payne welcomed the attendees by expressing his gratitude: “I just want to say, ‘thank you’ for all of our religious support community partners,” Payne stated during his welcome, emphasizing the impact of religious service, “you are developing the religious leaders and support for years to come.”

Followed by his remarks, Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, Imam of the Islamic Center of Fairborn, provided an invocation followed by guest speaker Chief of Chaplains for the Department of the Air Force, Major General Trent Davis and a benediction from the Reverend Suzanna Darcy Dillahunt from Southern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

“The Chaplain Corps is so thankful; thankful for each of you, and you matter more than you will ever know.” Davis addressed the religious partners, honoring their dedication. “We thank you for your partnership, your willingness to work with our chapel communities, and we look forward to hopefully being a good partner with you.”

As an open community event, this honorary celebration held an important connection between the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and its clergy, building relations amongst the faithful mission partners both off-base and at Wright-Patt.

To see more photos from the event, visit our Flickr page: May 19, 2026 - Legacy of Faith Community Luncheon | Flickr