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Wing commander hosts reception

By Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill , 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs / Published January 14, 2008

Colonel Mark Brown, 14th Mission Support Group commander, speaks with Columbus Wingman John Laws during Col. Gerber’s New Year’s reception Saturday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)
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Colonel Mark Brown, 14th Mission Support Group commander, speaks with Columbus Wingman John Laws during Col. Gerber’s New Year’s reception Saturday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)

Susan Dunn, wife of Col. Jeff Dunn, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, talks with Burnette Avakian, owner of Shadowlawn, Saturday during the New Year’s reception hosted by Col. Dave Gerber, 14th FTW commander, and his wife Lousia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)
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Susan Dunn, wife of Col. Jeff Dunn, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, talks with Burnette Avakian, owner of Shadowlawn, Saturday during the New Year’s reception hosted by Col. Dave Gerber, 14th FTW commander, and his wife Lousia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)

Chief Master Sgt. Ron Bowlan, 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, talks with Rodney Roberts, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, and his wife Lucille, Saturday during the wing commander’s New Year’s reception. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)
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Chief Master Sgt. Ron Bowlan, 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, talks with Rodney Roberts, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, and his wife Lucille, Saturday during the wing commander’s New Year’s reception. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)

Lieutenant Col. Jane Denton, 14th Medical Operations Squadron commander, talks with her honorary commanders, Dr. Atiq Rehman and his wife, Dr. Shelia Atiq, and Col. Susan Hall, 14th Medical Group commander, Saturday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)
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Lieutenant Col. Jane Denton, 14th Medical Operations Squadron commander, talks with her honorary commanders, Dr. Atiq Rehman and his wife, Dr. Shelia Atiq, and Col. Susan Hall, 14th Medical Group commander, Saturday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)

Colonel Jeff Dunn, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, Bob Taylor, 14th Security Forces Squadron honorary commander, and Leon Ellis, 14th Mission Support Group honorary commander, talk over drinks Saturday during the New Year’s reception at Col. Dave Gerber’s home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)
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Colonel Jeff Dunn, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, Bob Taylor, 14th Security Forces Squadron honorary commander, and Leon Ellis, 14th Mission Support Group honorary commander, talk over drinks Saturday during the New Year’s reception at Col. Dave Gerber’s home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill)

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COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. -- Colonel Dave Gerber, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, and his wife, Louisa, hosted civilian and military guests Saturday evening for a New Year's reception. 

Base leaders joined the Gerber's with their honorary commanders as well as distinguished guests from the local community for an evening of socializing and to catch up after the holidays. 

Columbus Wingmen Charliegh Ford, Fred Hayslett, Nick Ardillo, Tommy Southerland, Chuck Bigelow, LL Gates and John Laws and over 100 other guests joined the Gerber's to symbolically mark the beginning of the new year. The Wingman Award is the highest honor a departing wing commander can bestow upon a civilian. 

Many of the Wing's honorary commanders were also present. Each squadron and group commander has a civilian honorary commander to act as their unit's personal liaison with the community. 

Good stories, memories and promises were shared with each other in a spirit of optimism for the future of Columbus AFB. Guests enjoyed refreshments and homemade food prepared by the Gerber family, Dede Johnson and the CAOC staff. This annual reception provides key base leaders an opportunity to socialize and communicate with local community leaders.