Tyndall, Bay County sign partnership statement

  • Published
  • By Ashley M. Wright
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Tyndall and Bay County leadership met May 2 and signed a statement of intent targeted at finding "win-win" solutions for the base and surrounding neighbors.

 

"I must thank the Bay County Board of Commissioners for working with us on this agreement," said Col. David E. Graff, 325th Fighter Wing commander. "This is a landmark declaration aimed at stream-lining resources for Team Tyndall and the community we have been a part of for more than seven decades."

 

The agreement is part of what is known as the P4 initiative, or Public-Public; Public-Private Partnerships.

 

The P4 program 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.

 

While partnerships have existed in the past, this program is a way to tackle the most challenging of issues with the overhead 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. This agreement is the first of many strengthened partnerships to come.

 

Bay County officials expressed excitement over the declaration.

 

"Tyndall plays a tremendously important role in not just the economy of Bay County but also in the culture of this area," said Bay County Commission Chairman Guy Tunnell. "The personnel - and subsequent retirees - Tyndall draws are part of the fabric of our community, and we're so proud they're here. This agreement will further those important relationships and ultimately make our community stronger."

 

The statement committed each party to designate a representative to meet regularly with his or her counterpart and work towards mutually beneficial agreements.  One such agreement includes the determination of a final solution for the utilization of Aqueous Fire-fighting Foam, which complies with Tyndall's programmatic needs while complying with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.

 

The signing of the document kicked off the second round of P4 meetings between Tyndall and community leadership.

 

"Both the community and Tyndall AFB have always had great ideas about how to increase our partnerships across the board.  However, the P4 initiative will assist us in turning these great ideas into action.  This process wouldn't be possible without the fantastic commitment from our community leaders," Graff concluded.