By JIM FARIS
The Saint Joseph Chamber of Commerce is putting on events to honor and to showcase to the community the 139th Airlift Wing.
First, September 12th's Freedom Fest will see the Chamber, along with the City of Saint Joseph, giving a meal and entertainment to members of the 139, as well as members of Leavenworth's 35th Infantry. In all, the chamber expects to see 900 military members in attendance.
Next, the Civic Leadership Academy returns September 25th, from 8 AM-2 PM. This serves as a way for business and community leaders to better understand the operations at Rosecrans. Director of Communication with the Chamber, Kristi Bailey, told KFEQmmunity that many don't really even consider what goes on just across the river: "People don't often think about them until they see a plane in the sky. So this is a way for business and community leaders to... learn what happens at the base. You go on the planes, there's simulators, you learn about what happens on a guard drill weekends, what happens on deployments."
The Advanced Airlift Tactics Center at Rosecrans trains pilots for militaries around the world, and Bailey says the infrastructure to support all of it is larger than one might imagine: "You realize all the different functions it takes to make a wing work. From accountant and managerial people to mechanics and flight crews, it really takes every one of so many talents."
The event is limited to just 30 people, and fills up quickly every year.
For more information on Freedom Fest or the Civic Leadership Academy, contact the chamber by emailing bailey@saintjoseph.com, or by calling (816) 232-4461.