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JB MDL, community leaders join up for AF Community Partnership Program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Throneberry
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Joint base and community leaders convened at the Education Center for the fifth Air Force Community Partnership Program meeting Sept. 23, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

The purpose of the AFCPP is to leverage installation and local community capabilities and resources to identify and develop mutually beneficial partnerships to increase efficiency, retain or enhance quality and reduce operating and service costs or risks.

The participants broke up into several working groups to further develpo partnering opportunities and identify the tools and next steps from implementation.

"The Air Force and local communities alike have seen declining budgets and often times we seek similar solutions," said Kevin Kaysing, 87th Mission Support Group deputy director. "The working groups' main goals are to find mutually beneficial ways to either create revenue or reduce costs."

An example of a program which will create revenue has actually already been implemented and serves as a success story for the AFCPP.

"We now have a formalized agreement with a youth soccer organization who pays for the right to use our many grass fields for soccer tournaments on the weekends," said Kaysing. "We've done four weekend events so far and the money we earn will go right back into providing support for joint base personnel and families."

The AFCPP also ventures to save the joint base and community money through any means. An example of a cost cutting partnership is the potential for Air Force medical personnel to attend training events at local hospitals.

"One training opportunity is called 'grand rounds' which is a lecture style training where medical professionals discuss a particular topic," said James Wallace, Deborah Heart and Lung Center community and government relations officer. "We'll be working with medical group leadership to get some joint base folks to attend."

The day culminated in the signing of a charter which established the Community Partnership Executive Committee (MDLCPEC) by joint base, Ocean County and Burlington County leaders. The charter outlines the steps to move forward as a team in ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.

"This charter is the framework for our continued effort to work with our community partners for our mutual benefit," said Col. James Hodges, JB MDL and 87th Air Base Wing commander.

The next iteration of the Air Force Community Partnership Program will be Nov. 12, 2014.