2015 in Review: Base strengthens community ties
50th Space Wing Public Affairs
/ Published January 04, 2016
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Schriever Air Force Base has always strived to maintain a close relationship with Colorado Springs and its surrounding communities. That relationship was well cultivated in 2015, and efforts were made to expand it further.
In February, the base hosted more than 35 civic leaders, retired Air Force members and other community representatives for its first State of the Base address. The address featured presentations from the commanders of the 50th and 310th Space Wings and representatives from the United States Air Force Warfare Center and Missile Defense Agency.
Strengthening the relationship with the Ellicott community enjoyed extra emphasis in 2015.
Schriever welcomed Ellicott School District administrators for a pair of town hall meetings in March and April, while 50 SW leadership assisted with renovations to the Ellicott High School baseball field in late April and toured district facilities in late September.
Schriever Airmen judged the annual science fair in May, helped beautify the elementary school grounds in August in preparation for the new school year and participated in the Career Café program as well. In turn, the district honored veterans during its annual Veterans Day celebration, including some Schriever Airmen.
Military members were joined in supporting this relationship when a young housing resident donated a "Buddy Bench" to the Ellicott Elementary School. Additionally, Ellicott youth were at the "Operation Slide Schriever" and housing community's trick-or-treat event.
The second annual TEDx Schriever event in May brought speakers to share stories of "Selflessness" with Schriever members. Schriever personnel demonstrated their own acts of selflessness throughout the year through blood and bone marrow drives, volunteer opportunities, creating care packages for deployed Airmen and the annual Angel Tree program.
Again, the selflessness wasn't limited to military personnel. The Schriever School Age Program students created artwork to honor Air Force Wounded Warrior program members and presented the artwork to them during a ceremony in August.
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox held several Military Appreciation Nights throughout the season, inviting military members to take part in game festivities including throwing out the first pitch and singing the National Anthem.
In July, the Girls of the West visited Schriever for a tour of the base and to promote the annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.
Team Schriever partnered with Peterson Air Force Base and El Paso County emergency responders for a training event in November. The purpose of the training was to test the collective response to critical situations involving attacks and hostage situations on the base.
The relationship between Schriever and the local community will only grow stronger as several events, taking place both on and off base, are already planned for 2016.