SAN ANGELO, Texas — In a move to bolster community partnerships, San Angelo leaders and Goodfellow Air Force Base personnel convened on January 25 at the Business Resource Center to formalize two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). These agreements, signed during the Quarterly Community Partnership Update meeting, are set to enhance workforce development and educational opportunities within the region.
The meeting showcased progress from three key working groups established the previous year: the Joint Emergency Management and Disaster Response Training Facility, the K9 Military Working Dog Facility, and Skilled Workforce Development. Following these updates, a collaborative brainstorming session explored further avenues for partnership initiatives. The highlight of the event was the official signing of two MOUs, solidifying the commitment between the base and the local community.
The first MOU is centered on the Air Force Career Skills Program, establishing a framework for collaboration between Goodfellow AFB and the Concho Valley Workforce Development Board. This partnership aims to support Airmen transitioning out of the Air Force by providing them with training opportunities under the Career Skills Program. These programs are specifically designed to equip separating or retiring service members with valuable workforce skills, facilitating their seamless integration into the civilian workforce. The initiative also seeks to connect these skilled individuals with potential internships and employment prospects within the San Angelo community. This memorandum underscores the commitment to leveraging the expertise and dedication of Air Force personnel for the benefit of the local economy.
The second MOU outlines a community partnership between the 17th Training Group and Angelo State University (ASU). This agreement focuses on enriching the educational landscape for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community by providing access to prominent guest speakers. ASU brings its established speaker series expertise to the table, while the 17 TRG will contribute by launching a 17 TRG-sponsored Doolittle Speaker series emphasizing technology and national security topics. Furthermore, the agreement includes on-base promotion for ASU speaker series events and active participation from 17 TRG personnel. This collaborative effort promises to broaden the professional understanding of critical events and topics through insights shared by distinguished speakers, benefiting both the base and the wider San Angelo community.
With the addition of these two MOUs, Goodfellow Air Force Base now boasts 28 active agreements with community partners, marking it as the leading installation within the Department of Defense in terms of community engagement.
Stephanie Grunze-Swanson, the 17th Training Wing Community Partnership Specialist, played a pivotal role in orchestrating these MOU signings. Her efforts underscore the Air Force’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with its neighboring communities.
“The future of the Air Force Community Partnership Program at Goodfellow hinges on creating opportunities that empower our base and community leaders to collaboratively develop innovative and unconventional solutions,” stated Grunze-Swanson. “These solutions are vital for addressing both immediate and long-term needs within our community and on base.” She further emphasized that numerous initiatives are currently in various stages of development, with expectations for them to evolve into formal partnerships in the near future, promising continued collaboration and mutual benefit between Goodfellow AFB and the San Angelo community.
