SJAFB, Goldsboro leaders talk about community involvement
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on May 26, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/ALAN CAMPBELL
Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen gives an update Wednesday during the Base Community Council meeting at Lane Tree Golf Club.
Mayor Chuck Allen pledged to continue the momentum of seeking a better quality of life for the military and community during a Base Community Council meeting Wednesday.
Allen made the pledge to Col. Mark Slocum, 4th Fighter Wing commander at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Slocum is set to be promoted to brigadier general and will change over his command of the base in June.
The Base Community Council, which meets three times a year, is an informal gathering of city, county and base officials. The meeting, held at the Lane Tree Golf Club, offered area leaders the chance to offer updates on city, county and base projects and events.
"I think that we all know that most of what we do is about communications and, I guess, about relationships," Allen said.
Allen said Slocum's positive attitude, get-it-done push and goal of making the base and community better has been good for the area.
"Not only has it been good for the airmen, but he has reached out into the community to the point that I find myself getting up some mornings and saying, 'What am I going to do to make it better today?'"
Allen said that Slocum has "stepped way out in the community like no other commander that I know ever has."
During the luncheon meeting, Allen provided an update on some of the city's main projects and future goals.
He noted the city's effort in seeking a $10 million bond referendum, of which $3 million would go toward the construction of the multi-sports complex, the recent opening of the W.A Foster Center, where attendance has since tripled, and the recent opening of the Goldsboro Event Center.
The widening of Berkeley Boulevard is slated for completion in the summer, efforts are underway to increase community policing to curb violence, and development continues in downtown Goldsboro, Allen said. He also noted the Friday opening of the new U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass.
"The (U.S.) 70 Bypass is huge," Allen said. "I think it's going to be great for eastern North Carolina."
Commissioner Joe Daughtery, chairman of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, also noted the bypass opening, which he said has raised questions in the community.
"A lot of people have got a lot of mixed emotions about the bypass," Daughtery said. "I've heard a lot of mixed emotions on that, and we're about to find out what type of effect it will have."
Residents have questioned area impacts on traffic, businesses and sales taxes, Daughtery said.
Daughtery said construction of the Carey A. Winders Detention Center, on William Street, is slated for completion in October and site preparation and a groundbreaking for the Maxwell Regional Agricultural and Convention Center is planned in June.
The commissioners plan to fund technology improvements, new construction and facility improvements at Wayne County Public Schools.
The commissioners are also visiting area municipalities and have already met with public officials in Goldsboro, Seven Springs, Pikeville and Fremont.
"The commissioners are visiting each municipality to stay abreast of their needs and their concerns," Daughtery said.
Slocum and Lt. Col. Kelly Hosey, commander of the 916th Air Refueling Wing mission support group, also provided highlights during the meeting.
Slocum said the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are on tap for the 2017 Wings over Wayne Air Show, May 20-21. The highly popular show has been know to attract more than 200,000 people to the city.
"That's still on track," Slocum said. "It's going to bring a big crowd from all over the East Coast. I think that will be a phenomenal show for next year."
Slocum said the top two issues for the base are quality schools and jobs for military spouses.
"It's very important to us and it relates to combat capability and recruiting talent and retaining talent here," Slocum said.
The base commander also said he is pleased with the focus on improving area schools and recently traveled to Raleigh to talk with the N.C. Board of Education, in an effort to advocate for teachers and any assets they need to perform in the public school system.
He also thanked local officials for the focus on improving schools in Wayne County.
"That's a front-burner issue for the base for recruiting people to the base, getting people from overseas to come to the base and for retention, to get people to stay here after they get out of the Air Force," Slocum said.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base recently added a Subway restaurant, construction of a $54 million base hospital is underway and a future community center is planned. He also mentioned other recreation opportunities on base, including efforts to support families with deployed spouses.
"There are 700 of our nation's sons and daughters deployed around the world right now, doing our nation's work," Slocum said. "So, we've got a lot of families here right now within the wing that are without their active duty member."
Slocum said Wednesday was his last Base Community Council meeting, with his change-of-command ceremony planned June 30. Col. Christopher Sage, senior military assistant to the deputy chairman of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium, will become the next base commander.
"I appreciate all you're doing to support our airmen and their families, day in and day out, so they can do our nation's mission," Slocum said. "They're getting ready to do it or do it downrange, and it is greatly appreciated."
Hosey said the 916th Air Refueling Wing vice commander, Col. Michael Miller, will soon become an active duty Air Force officer, as part of the Air Force's new innovative wing concept, which is being launched as a pilot project at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
"The concept of this total force initiative is to better leverage the strength of the U.S. Air Force active duty reserve and National Guard component while balancing capability capacity and readiness," Hosey said. "Basically, in a nut shell, what this will mean is there will be active duty leadership as well as reserve leadership embedded in our reserve wing."
Hosey also said base officials are excited about the prospect of having a reserve squadron of 12 next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers. The base is one of four in the running for the tankers, with Seymour Johnson selected as the preferred alternative.
Hosey also thanked area leaders for their support.
"I also wanted to recognize Memorial Day, and thank you for all your support," Hosey said. "Hopefully, everyone will take a few moments out of that day to remember those who fought in past wars and made the ultimate sacrifice."