Tyndall, community pursue P4 ‘art of possibilities’

Base and community leaders met here July 16 to further develop P4 initiatives identified as key interests ranging from medical partnerships to veterans' jobs to compatible land use and recreational areas.

 "The main point for this meeting is for each team to look at initiatives, see viable options and begin  establishing milestones," said Col. Christopher D. Holmes, 325^th Mission Support Group commander. "The P4 process allows us to bring all the players in a room and work on getting to yes for these partnerships."

The P4 initiative, or Public-Public; Public-Private Partnership, is a way for Air Force bases and their local communities to find synergistic relationships, which will in-turn save resources or find opportunities for growth and the betterment of both the community and the base. 

The mission is really the "art of possibilities" through communication forums, shared interest, leveraging resources and mutual value, explained Maj. Gregg Quinones, Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistic partnership broker.

"The idea is to make every dollar count," the major said.

The working groups discussed continuing education opportunities for medical professionals by pooling local resources, veterans' job issues, easing traffic congestion on Highway 98, recreation efforts and more.

"It is exciting to learn the possibilities of all these ideas and see the variety of projects," said Parker Mayor Rich Musgrave. "It is nice to be included in these discussions with our neighbors on the base."  

While partnerships have existed between the surrounding communities, businesses and Tyndall in the past, this program is a way to tackle the most challenging of issues with the oversight and staff support of Headquarters Air Force.  The official program kicked off at Tyndall March 21 when 50 members of the base and the local community came together for the first time to discuss the program.

Back in May, base and county leaders signed a partnership agreement that committed each party to designate a representative to meet regularly with his or her counterpart and work towards mutually beneficial agreements.

Other agreements may take longer to come to fruition, but will provide benefits to the base and county for generations to come, Holmes stressed. The eight working groups fall under the four topics of land, infrastructure, technology and inter-opportunities.

The groups will continue to meet informally and iron out processes until the next meeting slated for Oct. 9.

"The level of commitment from the community has been phenomenal from day one," said Colonel David E. Graff, 325^th Fighter Wing commander, after hearing the updated status of the projects. "Bringing in community leaders and seeing them work to do things that help the community, our Airmen and their families, this is what it is all about."