BCC links Airmen to surrounding communities

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  (Editor's note: This is the first of a series highlighting the BCC featured communities.)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Henry Ford once said "Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success."

For more than 20 years, Whiteman AFB has been building and maintaining relationships within 18 surrounding communities through a community relations program called the Base Community Council.

"This council consists of representatives from the local area and is chartered to support Whiteman personnel," said Jesse Kellock, BCC president. "Working alongside the military is a wonderful opportunity for civilian BCC members to work towards mutual interest."

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.

The BCC is comprised of the citizens of Whiteman AFB, the cities California, Clinton, Cole Camp, Columbia, Concordia, Higginsville, Holden, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Knob Noster, La Monte, Lexington, Lincoln, Marshall, Sedalia, Warrensburg, Warsaw and Windsor.

BCC luncheons are hosted by one or more communities and are scheduled the first Thursday of each month. The next BCC is Aug. 5 and the featured communities will be Lincoln, Mo., Warrensburg, Mo. and Windsor, Mo.

Lincoln, Mo.
Lincoln is a small community near Highway 65, just north of Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir. Lincoln offers small town living with great schools and all the peace and quiet that comes with rural communities.

"With Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir so close, you will find great access to hunting, fishing and many other "on the water" activities," said Glen Nelson, BCC representative.

The 509th Medical Support Squadron and Lincoln support one another.
For more information log on to www.lincolnmissouri.com.

Warrensburg, Mo.
Warrensburg reflects diversity in the American lifestyle and is a historic hometown community. Warrensburg is home to the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg Tigers and Old Drum.

"Warrensburg is a wonderful place to live as it offers so many things including affordable housing, four unique seasons, beautiful countryside, great school district and small town living yet close to Kansas City," said Rachel Martin, BCC representative.

"You will find a perfect blend of small-town friendliness and big-city culture as we combine the amenities of the constant churn of personnel from nearby Whiteman coupled with the consistent and every growing business community to make a community that serves as a melting pot for all," said Tammy Long, president of Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce.

The 393rd Bomb Squadron and Warrensburg support one another.


"The vast majority of our personnel live in Warrensburg making it the ideal sister community for our squadron," said Lt. Col. Sam White, 393rd BS commander. "We've been stationed here twice and the level of support from the Warrensburg community has been nothing short of outstanding. Specifically, the bonds forged through the Military Affairs Council have allowed local leadership better insight on Whiteman AFB activities and have also enabled base personnel to be more in tune with community events."


For more information log on to www.visitwarrensburg.org

Windsor, Mo.
Windsor is located in West Central Missouri, at the intersection of five state highways, on the 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.

The 509th Maintenance Operation Squadron and Windsor support one another.

"The community support we receive from Windsor is exceptional - it makes a difference having someone like Mr Jesse Kellock fully engaged in supporting the B-2 and Whiteman missions" said Lt. Col. Matthew Snyder, 509th MOS commander.

Kellock, Windsor resident said it is the chosen home of more than 100 servicemembers families.
"We welcome all military to join us in the quiet and friendly community," Kellock said. "Windsor is very proud of the Farrington Park and Lake and attracts many people from the surrounding communities."
For more information log on to www.windsormo.org.

Military members are free to join the BCC. Civilians wanting to know more about membership fees can contact the BCC treasurer, Patty Sellers at (660) 563-3011.