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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      CMSAF visits Abilene leadership to address community support for military familiesPublished Nov. 5, 2021
                    
                    By 1st. Lt. Kaitlin Cashin
                    
                    
                    7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
            **DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --****Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force** **JoAnne S. Bass** met with Abilene leadership Nov. 4 to thank the city for the continuous support they provide Airmen and to discuss key areas where military members and their families benefit from community advocacy.
“It is an honor to visit the City of Abilene,” Bass said. “The people of Abilene are amazing community partners who consistently demonstrate their care and support to our Airmen and families.”**Col. Joseph Kramer**, 7th Bomb Wing commander, and **Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Coltrin**, 7th BW command chief, introduced Bass to local leaders from the five industries that support military families. Those in attendance included Doug Peters, Abilene Chamber of Commerce president, Gray Bridwell, Military Affairs Committee vice president and honorary commander, Dr. David Young, Abilene Independent School District superintendent, Marcus Dudley, Abilene chief of police, Brad Holland, Hendrick Health chief executive officer, and several other local and state leaders who work as partners to **Dyess Air Force Base**.
Upon meeting Abilene leaders, Bass noted the City of Abilene has a longstanding partnership with the Air Force base. With a thriving Military Affairs Committee which boasts 309 members, the city routinely seeks ways they can support Dyess AFB Airmen and their families. It is this advocacy that has earned the City of Abilene multiple years as the recipient of the **Air Force Global Strike Command**'s “Barksdale Trophy” award, as well as serving as the namesake for **Air Mobility Command**’s community award.
The senior enlisted advisor’s priorities are people, readiness, and culture. The community surrounding the Air Force bases has an impact on all of these aspects for Dyess AFB Airmen.
“Military communities understand the significance of what our Airmen do at Dyess," Bass continued. "We see that they want us to be able to accomplish the mission, support our way of life, and they understand that that comes with readiness. For community support, readiness may mean that our Airmen don’t have to stay at home out of concern for childcare. It means that they won’t have to drive three hours away to see the medical provider that can get them back to work, accomplishing the mission. It can look like employment opportunities for spouses, safe places to engage with others. This is the type of community support and advocacy that, as community leaders and advocates, our Airmen are counting on you to provide.”
In her remarks at the Air Force Association conference Sept. 18, Sharene Brown, spouse of Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.**, addressed the key factors that contribute to community support for Airmen. According to this initiative, the “**Five to Thrive**” pertains to community status on topics relating to childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and spouse employment opportunities.
Abilene leadership has supported a variety of efforts for each of these criteria. For instance, when it comes to connecting spouses to the local community, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Committee collaborated with Dyess AFB to establish the Jump Start orientation program, a tour that takes Airmen and their families downtown to get connected to the local community.
“When Airmen are downtown, nearly all Abilene business owners provide a 10-to-20% discount, or if they’re in uniform, strangers will thank them for their service,” Bridwell said.
The MAC has been mindful of the need for spouse employment opportunities as well, which is why, according to Bridwell, they set up a jobs portal, abileneworks.com.
Bass praised Dyess AFB for this best practice orientation program and encouraged the community to continue to connect with Air Force members and their families.
“We are so thankful Chief Bass has come to Dyess Air Force Base allowing us time to showcase our community and show first support of our commitment to Dyess Airmen and families,” Bridwell said. “Our history of support is 60 years in the works and looking forward to another six decades!”AFWN 



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