Leadership Bay tours Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Capling
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 2008-2009 Bay County Leadership Bay class received a tour of Tyndall Air Force Base Wednesday as part of their annual program. 

Col. David Zeh, 325th Mission Support Group commander, began the tour with the 325th Fighter Wing mission brief. The tour also included an F-22 mission brief, F-15 display and simulator training, and concluded with a tour of the 601st Air Operations Center. 

"It is important that we teach participants the role that Tyndall AFB plays in our local economy and its role in defending our nation," said Ms. Elizabeth Smith, Leadership Bay committee member and program administrator. 

Leadership Bay is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, said Ms. Smith. Its mission is to cultivate a broadened network of well-informed leaders whose strengthened commitment to community involvement will affect positive change in Bay County. 

"The overall objective of the program is to help ensure that our community continues to benefit from having a cadre of capable residents who are prepared to assume," said Ms. Smith. "Participants are exposed to issues and resources that directly impact the future of Bay County." 

Leadership Bay is made up of people from all over the community. The class meets every other Wednesday from October through May. Participants are hand selected and expected to attend all class sessions. 

"Hosting the Leadership Bay tour is a great way for us to show the emerging leaders of Bay County what we're doing here at Tyndall," said Colonel Zeh. "We have such a great relationship with our local community and I think it's important that they understand Tyndall's mission and get a chance to interact with our Airmen. We like to take every opportunity we can to help foster that relationship."