WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Leadership Dayton partnered with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on April 9, giving 50 members of its program the opportunity to tour various sites on the base and learn about its mission, roles and responsibilities.
Leadership Dayton is celebrating its 50th year and is the fourth-oldest continuously operating community leadership program in the United States. Through methods of identification, education and motivation, it empowers individuals in the Dayton area to grow in leadership skills and enhance the region in their capacity to serve. Each class chooses a service project to complete, as well as visiting a variety of Dayton-based businesses and immersing themselves in networking. The program lasts 11 months.
Nicki Royce, manager of Leadership Dayton for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce said, “The value of this program is that it brings together local top leaders from all different industries. A lot of people in Leadership Dayton have never been on base before, so it’s a really vital part of the program.”
The day began with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, who welcomed the group and shared the greater mission of Wright-Patterson. He spoke about the future of the mission and underlined the importance of the relationship between the local community and WPAFB.
“My goal is to do the best we can, to be the connective tissue among all the entities on Wright-Patterson, but also from Wright-Patterson into the community,” Richards said.
Following the introduction, the group boarded buses for their first look at Wright-Patterson’s mission. They toured the centrifuge, used for aircrew-acceleration training, research and testing missions, at the Air Force Research Laboratory and the 711th Human Performance Wing, where aeromedical training takes place.
Next, the 50 participants returned to Area A to visit the Rapid Development Integration Facility (RDIF), part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The facility manufactures and modifies aircraft and weapon systems to meet special operator needs.
Ivy Glover, a member of Leadership Dayton and the director of community and social impact for Wright-Patt Credit Union, shared that her favorite stop was the RDIF. “The concept that there’s a problem, you find a solution and find it quickly and save money while you’re doing it is something we can all benefit from,” she said. “The RDIF capabilities and applications were my biggest takeaways today.”
Mid-day, the group shared lunch with six airmen at the Wright-Patt Club. The airmen answered questions and shared their personal experiences, giving visitors meaningful insight into military life.
In the afternoon, they visited the 445th Airlift Wing and toured the C-17 Globemaster.
The 88th Security Force Squadron followed with a military working dog demonstration, showcasing the training and teamwork that go into a partnership for duty.
The tour concluded with demonstrations of a traditional funeral honors by the base Honor Guard and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team displaying their equipment and capabilities.
As the day wrapped up, the group expressed gratitude to Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88th Air Base Wing command chief, for their experience. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and propose ideas and feedback from the day’s experiences.
“The neatest part about the visit has been meeting the people who are doing the work,” said Greg Wasmund, member of Leadership Dayton and director of workforce development at Sinclair Community College. “It’s remarkable the passion that they have for their craft and their job.”