TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker Air Force Base welcomed its newest class of honorary commanders while graduating its outgoing class in a ceremony held here Feb. 21.
The incoming and graduating civic leaders from across Oklahoma attended a breakfast ceremony and met with their partner commanders from various Team Tinker organizations.
“Good neighbors make good bases, and the Honorary Commander Program is one of the ways we develop long-lasting and fruitful relationships with the community,” said Col. Abby Ruscetta, Tinker Installation and 72nd Air Base Wing commander. “Many of Tinker’s mission expansions in the past have been possible thanks to the help of Honorary Commander Program alumni.”
Originally known as Commstar, Tinker AFB’s Honorary Commander Program began in 1996. The program develops interpersonal relationships between civic leaders and installation leaders, allowing the honorary commanders to learn and better understand how Team Tinker impacts the community and contributes to the greater United States military.
Eight members graduated with the class of 2024, and nine others joined the program as the newest group of honorary commanders.
The newest honorary commanders include:
- Senator Julia Kirt, Oklahoma State Senate
- Ms. Sara Lynn Sadorra, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
- Mr. John Richardson, Bold Multimedia
- Mr. Nick Young, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics
- Ms. Tina Hanna, South Central Industries
- Mr. Jeffrey Volz, Gallogly College of Engineering at University of Oklahoma
- Mr. Joshua Shultz, Del City Chamber of Commerce
- Ms. Tana Fitzpatrick, University of Oklahoma
- Mr. Brooks Mitchell, City of Moore City Manager
Graduating honorary commanders include:
- Mr. Michael Davis, Oklahoma Finance Authorities
- Ms. Amanda Carpenter, Williams, Box, Forshee & Bullard
- Mrs. Robyn Castleberry, Moore Norman Technology Center
- Dr. Shad Satterthwaite, University of Oklahoma Executive Business Programs in Aerospace and Defense
- Ms. Kim Brown, Moore Chamber of Commerce
- Mr. Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City Airports
- Ms. Victoria Natalie, Oklahoma State University Unmanned Systems Research Institute
- Ms. Shaina Bennett, Midwest City Chamber of Commerce
Members of the program are given a rare, first-hand look at Tinker’s numerous missions and its importance to the Department of Defense. Honorary commanders visited the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, 552nd Air Control Wing and the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE. They also had the chance to participate in exercise simulations and fly on a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling mission.
Honorary Commander candidates are selected from a wide variety of business, government and community leaders. Nominations are submitted from several sources including previous members, local chambers of commerce, city offices and on-base commanders.