A good military base needs a strong community to help it achieve its mission

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-

A good military base needs a strong community to help it achieve its mission..

That was part of the message on Tuesday from the commander of Columbus Air Force Base’s 14th Communications Squadron.

Lieutenant Colonel Will Thompson spoke to business and community leaders about the important connection between the city and the base.

He says the surrounding community is vital to helping service men and women perform their mission, and the Air Force community is grateful for that support.

“I hope that the community feels like they’re appreciated. I hope that they realize that we recognize and appreciate just how much they do for us, for my squadron, for the other squadrons on base. I really appreciate my Honorary Commander. She’s really set up some of these things, and that’s been really awesome. I just hope that they know that we really appreciate them, and that our military members and our dependents really appreciate them.”

Colonel Thompson also emphasized the role the community plays supporting families when a service member is deployed.