Military working dog

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Staff Sgt. David Smith and Senior Airman Maria Melesio, both 23rd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handlers, along with Paco, a military working dog, demonstrate different scenarios for members of the Leadership Lowndes class here March 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Joshua Green)

Deployment line

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Members from the Leadership Lowndes class process through a simulated deployment line here March 19. Each person who represented an agency in the deployment line explained the purpose of every station to give a better understanding of what requirements are needed before each deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Joshua Green)

MRAP display

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Colonel Donald Derry, Commander of the 820th Security Forces Group commander, speaks to members from the Leadership Lowndes class about the Mine Resistant Ambush Protective vehicles and how they supplement the Humvee in wartime situations here March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Joshua Green)

Future community leaders visit Moody to learn mission

Published March 23, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A group dedicated to molding men and women from the community into future leaders recently toured Moody to learn more about the base's various missions March 19.

Leadership Lowndes, which began in 1988 to teach community members of the social, economic, educational and governmental needs of the area, has hosted various Air Force alumni, including the 14th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray.

"It's incredibly important that we educate the local community about what we do," said Chief Master Sgt. Paul Burgess, 23rd Wing command chief. "Much of the local populace has next door neighbors and good friends working on base, yet they still have no idea of what we do."

Leadership Lowndes Defense Day is a part of a year-long course that helps educate community members about what Moody Airmen do on a day-to-day basis, said Chief Burgess, who was also a student during the 2008 class.

The class toured various areas of the base including the Parker Green Base Support Center and the 820th Security Forces Group military operations in urban terrain training village. They also toured static displays of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and an HC-130P/N Combat King aircraft and viewed an A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstration.

"I've been on Moody before but I've never been able to see the true day-to-day operations that happen especially at the 820th SFG," said Sementha Mathews, City of Valdosta public information officer. "Visiting the 820th's (SFG) MOUT training village was absolutely awesome."

In addition to the tours, the Leadership Lowndes students also attended a 23rd WG mission briefing, processed through a mock pre-deployment line at the Deployment Control Center and wrapped up the day's events during a social held at the Moody Field Club.

"The communities' relationship with the base and vice-versa has been outstanding over the years," said Chuck Roberts, SMITH Northview Hospital Assistant Administrator director of Business Development and Community Relations. "It's important that Leadership Lowndes continues working with Moody to further integrate the base with the community and ensure the vitality of the relationship."

The Leadership Lowndes class is comprised of 30 students nominated by a firm, organization or individual who has been recognized for their potential leadership skills. Once nominated, the individual must fill out a detailed application prior to their acceptance into the course.

Col. Steven Lambert, 23rd Mission Support Group commander, is also a student in the 2009 class and was a part of the tour.

"We're extremely honored to be a part of this beneficial program," said Chief Burgess. "The fact that Leadership Lowndes invites a member from Moody to attend the class each year is a testament to the pride the community takes in supporting our Airmen."