Practical partnerships for the future

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Around 50 members from Team Tyndall and the surrounding community came together March 21 to discuss money-saving, resource-sharing ideas that improve everyone's way of life.

The initiative is known as P4: Public-Public; Public-Private Partnerships and is a way for Air Force bases and their local communities to save money by using each other's assets creatively to solve problems.

"One of the things I love most about being commander here is that we have a great partnership with our community," said Col. David E. Graff, 325th Fighter Wing commander. "What these meetings are really trying to find is where we can create efficiencies through interdependency. It's almost a negotiation, but with people that really care and want to see the whole enterprise improve instead of just their own piece of the pie."

This revolutionary program was created out of necessity. It looks at money-saving partnerships that may have been hindered by outdated, antiquated rules and finds ways to make them happen. In times of budget cuts and closings, this is one way Tyndall can ensure the quality of life of, not only the Airmen, but neighbors in the surrounding communities.

"More than ever, it's incumbent on defense communities like ours to find ways to partner with our bases, help increase operating efficiencies and ensure that this is the best possible place to for the Department of Defense to do business," said Tom Neubauer, Bay Defense Alliance president.

The meeting consisted of explaining the process and a period of brainstorming. The group came up with 25 initiatives to improve, ease and lessen costs of necessities and comforts like lodging, transportation, utilities and training, among many others.

"This was the initial planning meeting and was the second out of a seven step program," said Maj. Gregg Quinones, 202nd REDHORSE operations officer and Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Installation, Environment and Logistics (Job Title). "This is when we actually bring the community into the process. We explain to them what the mission of the P4 initiative is, and we start trying to get ideas and brainstorm on the potential partnership opportunities that we may have in the future. "

The next P4 meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 1 and will be held at a venue within the community.

"This initiative is certainly going to strengthen ties between the military base and the local community," said Brian Stahl, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy commander. "I think what I want to emphasis is that there is a tremendous benefit to the local community as well as the military. This isn't just Tyndall going out to the community and saying how can you help us, it's how can we help each other. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the great ideas that are going to be developed over the coming months come to fruition."

P4 has already been adopted by 30 other bases, a number that continues to grow with the program's effectiveness.

"We have a great base here, a fantastic community and a wonderful relationship," he said. "This is an excited time for us to jump into this fight and really do something great for the county, the communities, our base and our country, and I think this is a great beginning and a great opportunity."