Dayton, Wright-Patterson coalition helps Brooks Airmen to smooth transition

Published Sept. 17, 2009
By Joe N. Wiggins
311 Human Systems Wing Public Affairs

BROOKS CITY-BASE, Texas -- A mixed coalition of Dayton business leaders, Air Force civilians and military members visited Brooks City-Base, Texas, September 15 to help a group of 170 Airmen from Brooks City-Base units get answers to questions and ease their transition when their units move to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

In addition to serving as an information-sharing session for the transitioning Airmen, the discussions also allowed the Dayton-area coalition members to learn about the people who will be moving to their area.

Col. (Dr.) William E. Venanzi, Jr., chief of the medical staff at the 88th Medical Group, discovered many of the transitioning Airmen have a variety of interests.

"We've dealt with a wide range of questions while here at Brooks, from the community to the military support and services available on the base," said Col. Venanzi. "This is my second visit to Brooks, and I'm interested in letting these Airmen know about their new workplaces, as well as make sure they know we can and will fully support their families when they arrive."

While here, Col. Venanzi addressed several issues and assured everyone they would have what they need in the Dayton and Wright-Patterson communities to find a challenging work environment and an active personal life.

"Any service or support they now get from Wilford Hall (at Lackland AFB) they will find at Wright-Patterson," he said. "Also, there are numerous education opportunities for continuing education from Kettering and Wright State Universities, as well as the University of Dayton," he explained.

"Everyone in the 88th has been looking forward to and getting ready to welcome the Airmen transitioning since the 2005 BRAC decision was announced."

People from outside the base also got an opportunity to meet the 170 Airmen who attended the sessions and hear what is on their minds as the Brooks closure nears.

Kathleen Young, executive director of the Greene County Convention and Visitors Bureau, fielded questions and took the opportunity to pass on some good news for the military people moving to Ohio.

"The state just passed legislation exempting military members and military retirees from the Ohio state income tax," she explained. "Many of the people I talked to had the usual questions about schools, housing and recreation services, but the main thing we wanted to do today is to let them know they are very welcome in our community."

A senior leader from Brooks said his Airmen were happy with meeting.

Lt. Col. Talmadge A. Gaither, 77 AESG deputy group commander, said he got a lot of useful information for his family, as well as hearing good feedback from his people. "I was interested in the schools in the Dayton area, and learned a lot about what to expect," he said. "Our newer Airmen got familiar with the Dayton area were also very pleased with the session. It was very clear to me that the Wright-Patterson community is working to make us feel welcome."

The Dayton community and business leaders were eager to share information about their community.

"We know military people normally have a sponsor when they move, but when an entire unit moves, sometimes that doesn't happen. We want them to know we are their sponsors when they come to Dayton," said Bert Cream, a project manager with the Dayton Development Coalition. "As a former military member, I know how important that can be for these people, so we actually assign a local person to act as a sponsor for them. We drive them around, help them get set up in the local area, and answer their questions," he said.

The relocation services and assistance are part of a group of services contained in the Miami Valley Human Resource Association BRAC initiative. The initiative has the goal, among other things, of helping family members and spouses navigate the job market in the Dayton region.