By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is showing off the 139th Airlift Wing once again during its annual Civic Leadership Academy.
President Natalie Hawn says the idea of the program is to get the public into an area that they don’t always get to go
“Because there are a lot of restrictions with the military, so obviously folks have to pre fill out forms and get pre required to go on base,” Hawn says on the KFEQmunnity show. “But then once you go on base, it’s a really great way to showcase the base and what the military does, and really answer any questions that someone might have about the 139th, what their mission is, what they do, what the TAC school is.”
Hawn says the event is a two day program that shows people many aspects about the 139th at Rosecrans.
“Get a chance to meet all the base leadership and then you do an immersion into what the 139th does,” Hawn explains. “So you get to learn by touching and feeling the different things on base, and that way you can be aware as you go out, maybe it’s your business and you want to create a partnership because it’s a great workforce tool.”
Hawn says many on the base only work part time, so it’s a great opportunity for people to build a workforce pipeline in the area.
Hawn says while the program is designed for residents, it does help in making them better advocates to approach elected officials, some who might be near the tour.
“This is important to me that we continue to sustain this base and our community, and I now know J models are important to them and this is why, and here’s some other issues affecting the base and here’s how I can help,” Hawn says. “So it’s really designed for just education and for people to feel like they know about a resource in our community.”
This year’s academy is full, but if you are interested in participating in future events you can contact the Chamber.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.