Grand Forks AFB commander lauds community partnership on ‘State of the Base’ Published Nov. 30, 2013 By Tim Flack 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS, North Dakota -- Col. Paul Bauman, commander of the 319th Air Base Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., thanked the local communities for their outstanding partnership during a "State of the Base" speech in Grand Forks city on Nov. 21. More than 200 people attended the annual presentation, hosted by the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. Committee co-chairs Donna Wolfe-Sholes and retired Brig. Gen. Al Palmer opened the ceremony, explaining that the MAC exists to encourage and maintain strong relationship between the people in the Grand Forks Region and its military installations. Bauman explained that he challenges base Airmen to focus on three things: Professionalism, Proficiency and Passion. He spotlighted a handful of Airmen who "are able to do their work because of the incredible partnership the base enjoys." They included: Senior Airman Aric Moren, of the 319th Medical Operations Squadron: Moren recently returned from a deployment where he was part of a 5-person Combat Stress Control team at a Forward Operating Base, or FOB. His team supported thousands of troops at 17 FOBs, and he conducted more than 30 outside-of-the-wire missions. Senior Airman Jeffrey Lowder, of the 319th Comptroller Squadron: Lowder led the way to the base receiving thousands of dollars in Government Travel Card rebates, which directly impacts quality-of-life projects on the installation. He also serves as a member of the ceremonial Honor Guard unit. SSgt. Christopher Giles, 319th Security Forces Squadron: In addition to singing the National Anthem to open the State of the Base event, Giles is an active volunteer in the local community. He is a volunteer counselor for the YMCA Big Brother program and was the keynote speaker during a Memorial Day Ceremony in Thief River Falls, Minn. He was also just named the Air Mobility Command's Outstanding Security Forces Support Staff NCO for 2013. Capt. Chad Reger, of the 348th Reconnaissance Squadron: Reger recently returned from a yearlong deployment, where he supervised more than 400 successful outside-of-the-wire convoys and single-vehicle movements, personally leading 150 of them. Bauman also highlighted the mission partnerships enjoyed with the 69th Reconnaissance Group, the North Dakota Air National Guard, the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, and the 10th Space Warning Squadron at Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D. "These partnerships encompass Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Space Command, the Guard Bureau, and the Department of Homeland Security," Bauman explained. "While coordination among these partners is easy to mention in a sentence, it takes real work day in and day out to ensure a productive partnership." Bauman lauded the rock-solid relationship with the local communities. "This community has welcomed generations of Airmen into their midst and made us feel welcome," he said." He also spoke of the unique relationship with the University of North Dakota, and Grand Forks County, which is proposing an Enhanced Use Lease project on the base. "As you can see, partnership - real partnership - is alive and well in your community ... our community," Bauman said. "Thank you, Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and the host of surrounding communities for helping me take care of our Airmen and their families, so they can take care of our nation's business."