Subscribe
SAVANNAH AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ga.-- The 165th Airlift Wing and Air Dominance Center inducted 15 local leaders to the renewed Honorary Commanders Program during a ceremony at the Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, July 31, 2025.
The Honorary Commander Program fosters public awareness of the Savannah Air National Guard Base by educating civic leaders on both the state mission and our role in national security and global affairs.
In return, honorary commanders have the opportunity to learn from military leadership principles and connect with Airmen during exclusive base events, training exercises, and team collaborations.
“One of our top priorities is finding new and better ways to support our community relations,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Sheldon B. Wilson, commander, 165th AW. “This program allows us to more effectively serve both our local community and the nation.”
During their two-year term, honorary commanders are paired with military leaders in like-industries including higher education, civic service, manufacturing, and more. This partnership allows both parties to identify areas to advance their mission, people, or operations.
Originally launched in 2009, the renewal of the Honorary Commander Program has expanded to include the Air Dominance Center. This addition reaffirms that both the 165th and ADC are united in their dedication to serving the local community.
“When the Air Dominance Center faced potential closure a few years ago, it was this same kind of trust and collaboration from the community that kept us going,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Thomas, commander, ADC. “I’m grateful to Col. Wilson for bringing us into this community partnership—because together, we make a stronger Savannah.”
Initiatives like the Honorary Commander Program support the Savannah Air National Guard Base’s commitment to the Greater Savannah area, while also highlighting the dedication of Airmen carrying out the mission from the ground up.
Here are the 2025 Honorary Commanders:
Mr. Bert Brantley, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Dawn Brosnan, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
Ms. Karen Guinn, Collective Marketing
Ms. Nora Lee, Coastal Heritage Society
Ms. Diana Morrison, Advertising Specialty Services
Mr. Darrell Naylor-Johnson, Savannah College of Art and Design
Mr. William Olmstead, Colonial Group, Inc.
Dr. Julie Olsen, Workplace Advancement Strategies
Ms. Erica Ross, Savannah Chatham County Public School System
Mr. Gary Sanchez, AT&T Corporation
Ms. Luella Sanders, Vystar Credit Union
Mr. Joseph Scroggins, Effingham County Prisons
Ms. Lynetta Smith, Combat Boots 2 the Boardroom
Mr. Thomas Robert Toole, Bulloch County Prison
Mr. Jason Zdunich, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, LLC.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2025 15:07 |
| Story ID: | 544624 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Community leaders selected as honorary commanders at Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing and Air Dominance Center, by SSgt Victoria Coursey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
