Community leaders inducted as honorary commanders Published July 16, 2008 By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson & Christine Pons 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Area community leaders were inducted into the McGuire Honorary Commanders Program in a ceremony July 15 at the Falcon Creek Golf Course. The honorary commanders program is designed to create an open flow of communication between the surrounding communities and commanders, to showcase the Air Force's capabilities and future leaders, and to fortify existing bonds with all communities. "Part of the Honorary Commanders Program is to help our community leaders understand what Team McGuire's missions are and how important they've become in this day and age," said Col. Balan Ayyar, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander. "Great community relationships build great bases. We're citizens first and we want this community to be successful." Honorary commanders are selected on two criteria: they must play an active role in their community and demonstrate a drive to share their Air Force experiences with those in their sphere of influence. Each civic or business leader selected for the program is paired with a McGuire commander for a one-year term. During that time, participants of the program will participate in various base and unit events. All events and interactions between commanders and honorary commanders are designed to provide a better understanding of Air Force personnel, programs and operations. "The best part of my participation in the Honorary Commanders Program has been the relationships I've established with all the commanders at Team McGuire and Fort Dix," said Joe Zarzaca, outgoing honorary commander for the 305th Air Mobility Wing judge advocate. "What they do is awesome and I respect them now more than ever because of this wonderful program that reaches out to the community." Over the next year, honorary commanders will be invited to various base and unit events, such as quarterly award presentations, commander's calls, holiday parties and other unit activities; they won't perform the normal duties of commanders - such as disciplinary or administrative actions - they may be invited for unit tours and visits designed to familiarize them with their unit's mission. "I'm honored to be chosen for the Honorary Commanders Program at McGuire Air Force Base, and that the command considers me an influential civic leader," said Joey Vento, owner of Geno's Steaks and honorary commander to the 305th Air Mobility Wing command chief. "Everyone should show their support to the troops - we should be backing them all 100 percent."