Airman’s council elects new leaders

  • Published
  • By Sonic Johnson
  • Chief, 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Columbus Air Force Base Airman's Activity Council elected new Executive Committee members during their May meeting. Airman 1st Class Perry Huffman, 14th Communications Squadron, will be at the helm as the council's president for the next year.

Senior Airman Christina Ortiz, 48th Flying Training Squadron, will be backing Airman Huffman up as the AAC Vice President. Recording the details of their meetings and activities is their Secretary, Airman 1st Class Dustie Daniels, 14th Operations Support Squadron and Senior Airman Brooke Wood, is the council's Treasurer. As the Programs Coordinator, Senior Airman Michaela Spiegle works closely with agencies and the AAC planning their events. Both Wood and Spiegle are from the 14th Medical Operations Squadron. AAC also has a senior enlisted advisor in MSgt Norma Chism, 14th Medical Group First Sergeant. She provides keen guidance, mentorship and support to the organization.

All junior enlisted at Columbus AFB are automatically members of the AAC yet there are only 12 active members in the organization. With over 260 junior enlisted Airmen assigned, Airman Huffman believes there is room for the organization's active membership roster to expand. "One of our goals as leaders of the AAC is to expand our roster," said Airman Huffman. "One of the easiest ways to do that is to keep your organization relevant to today's Airmen." Their current goal is to have at least 45 active members participating in events and attending meetings.
The primary goal of the AAC is to promote base and community involvement, reflecting the wing's enabling task of Cultivating Community Relations. To that end, they would like to log 100 hours of volunteer work by May of next year.

AAC members volunteer time on base at the Thrift Shop and providing drivers for the 434-RIDE program. Some of their off-base activities include Habitat for Humanity, the local Humane Society and participating in many local festivals.

The AAC meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the Montgomery Village. All junior enlisted members are eligible for active membership and are invited to attend. AAC annual dues are $2. For more information on the Airman's Activity Council, contact Airman Huffman at 434-3425 or perry.huffman@columbus.af.mil.

"This is a great professional organization, with great Airmen. I partner in their vision of Airmen expansion" noted Chief Master Sergeant Zef Smith, 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief. "Columbus AFB provides opportunities for all enlisted Airmen to participate in professional organizations. It is the role and responsibility of ALL enlisted tier Airmen to join professional organizations as spelled out in the little brown book on enlisted force structure."