WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The civilian and military partnership at Whiteman Air Force Base has existed here for the past 20 years. Consisting of more than 350 individuals representing 18 local communities the group meets here once a month to reinforce this relationship.

"This council consists of representatives from the local area and is chartered to support Air Force Global Strike Command personnel of this base," said Jesse Kellock, Base Community Council president. "Working alongside the military is a wonderful opportunity for civilian BCC members to work toward mutual interests."

The benefit goes both ways.

A squadron from the 509th Bomb Wing is assigned a community to get Airmen involved in local organizations and work with community members on various projects and events.

Specific communities are featured each meeting, highlighting outreach programs and concerns. The next BCC meeting is scheduled April 14 and features Higginsville, Mo. and Windsor, Mo.

Higginsville, Mo.
"The partnerships we have forged over the years have been great," said Mayor Bill Kolas and BCC representative. "The hard part is having our Whiteman friends transfer out just when we get to know them. But we also look forward to meeting their replacements and making new friends."

The 509th Comptroller Squadron and Higginsville support one another.

"We have enjoyed working with the fine people within the Higginsville community," said Lt. Col. Judson Fussell, 509th CPTS commander. "They are always supportive to our squadron needs and we will continue to look for opportunities to support them as well. It is really a unique city, filled with patriotic and selfless individuals and we hope that we can continue to strengthen our ties and mutual support even more."

Windsor, Mo.
Windsor is located in West Central Missouri, at the intersection of five state highways, on the famous Katy Trail, a 200 mile hiking and biking trail, and near Truman Lake, one of the Show-Me State's largest fishing and recreational lakes according to windsormo.org.

"We have a very close relationship with our Sister City as a number of our Airmen live in Windsor and are actively involved in community events," said Lt. Col. Matthew Snyder 509th MOS commander. "We stay actively involved with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce and continue to support and receive phenomenal support from this great Missouri city."

The BCC meets the first Thursday of each month at Mission's End unless otherwise specified. To RSVP, contact the 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at (660) 687-6121, by noon April 11.

The BCC is hosting a spring golf fundraiser tournament April 29 which directly supports base members and their families. For more information contact Chris Walker at (660) 351-2132 or the Royals Oaks golf course at (660) 687-5572.