MAC continues support of Airmen

Published May 9, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Daniel Lile
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Military Affairs Committee is scheduled to host the upcoming dorm dinner at the Base Chapel May 15. This is one of the many ways the MAC encourages and supports the Airmen of Columbus Air Force Base.

"They are hosting the next dorm dinner for the enlisted Airmen here on base. About 15 volunteers will come and bring a home cooked southern style meal," said 2nd Lt. Joshua Benedetti, Chief of Community Relations. "This is one of many events they put on for Columbus AFB."

All of the members of the MAC are volunteers from businesses who are members of the Chamber of Commerce and want to help connect Airmen with the local area.

"The MAC is a group of businesses and individuals from the community that have invested interest in supporting the Airmen of Columbus Air Force Base," said Benedetti. "They do this by volunteering, conducting service projects and raising money for events to support the Airmen of Columbus AFB."

A few ways they contribute to the base are by organizing pilot partner welcomes monthly, doing yard work and cleaning the T-37 at the front gate and helping Columbus AFB's community get the first ever Altus Trophy in 2011.

"The MAC is extremely important to the mission here at Columbus AFB because without the support of the local community we would not be able to execute the mission to the same level of excellence that we do every day," said Benedetti.

The local Chamber of Commerce organizes and enables the MAC. In order to be a member of the committee, the representing member must first belong to the Chamber of Commerce.

"The Chamber of Commerce is made up of local businesses and other organizations in the area; every town and city that you ever go to should have one," said David Webb, Chairman of the MAC. "Typically, the Chamber of Commerce is usually the place to start when it comes to businesses and economic activity."

There are many different reasons someone would want to be in the MAC. Most members are prior military or have relatives that are service members.

"I have a son that is a Marine and when he got to his first duty station in Hawaii he was 18 and had great support on his base but had absolutely no connection to the outside community," said Webb. "When I moved here and learned about the MAC I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved. It's just a good way to make a difference with people who are serving in the military."

The MAC is a great resource Columbus AFB has to aid Airmen.

"The MAC is an integral part of what makes us the premier pilot training wing and community in the Air Force," said Col. Jim Sears, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander. "We can't thank them enough for their tremendous support for the Airmen and families at Columbus AFB."