Eielson signs cooperative partnership charter with community

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Elias Zani
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Air Force Base leaders, along with borough and city officials, signed a charter May 28 strengthening the relationship between the two entities in an effort to streamline processes.

The Air Force Community Partnership Initiative is a Chief of Staff of the Air Force program established in late 2012 with the goal of collaboration and cooperation between local governments, civic leaders, and Air Force installations.

Eielson AFB is one of approximately 40 installations to take part in the initiative since its inception.

Typically, the process takes approximately twelve months to address common needs while the parties explore and agree upon innovative solutions to resolve those needs.

However, existing strong bonds between Eielson and the surrounding community contributed to the relative ease of this process, resulting in a three agreements signed in just under seven months with two to three more expected to be signed within the next few months

"Throughout my career, I have not found a more welcoming community than the Interior of Alaska," said the 354th Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Michael Winkler. "My hopes are that the signing of this charter will help instill a culture of innovation that sets the bar for installations and surrounding communities across the Air Force."

Working common issues shared by the borough, city departments and Eielson can further strengthen relationships, and save tax-payers, and sometimes local citizens, dollars.

Four agreements were signed including the charter.

One agreement involved posting job openings at Eielson along with borough and city government job openings. The agreement also directs incoming Eielson dependents toward borough and city job opportunities.

Another agreement allows the Interior Baseball League to use indoor facilities at the Baker Field House during the winter months while offering a discount to military families to participate in the baseball skills class.

The third agreement informs qualified incoming Air Force dependents of city and borough teaching jobs prior to their arrival in Interior Alaska. This will provide schools with a steady flow of qualified teachers while ensuring job opportunities for incoming dependents.

"This is just the start of things," said Luke Hopkins, the Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor. "We will continue to work with our partners and share what resources we can."

Additional cooperative agreements will continue to be developed in the future since the initiative is an ongoing process.

"I'm grateful we were able to sign a few agreements with the community already," Winkler said. "The Fairbanks North Star Borough is an amazing community with unparalleled military support. I have a feeling the signing of this charter is just the beginning."