Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council wins Abilene Trophy Published April 12, 2010 By Capt. Joe Knable 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Little Rock Air Force Base members and their community council won the 2009 Abilene Trophy announced March 31 here. The Abilene Trophy is the Air Mobility Command's community support award and is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to an AMC base. The winner is determined by a selection group from the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee in Texas with final approval from AMC officials. "It is with great pride and enthusiasm I have the privilege of announcing that you won this year's Abilene Trophy -- the best community in all of AMC!" said Col. Greg Otey, the Little Rock AFB commander. "The council's steadfast support of the base, its missions and its people haven't gone unnoticed. I've said many times that we are blessed to have such a supportive local community, and this award validates everything I've been saying since I arrived here last year." Examples of the community's support for the base in 2009 include: - Groundbreaking on a new Joint Education Center, a higher-learning institution open to both military members and civilians alike on base property, but just outside the fence. The city of Jacksonville voted to support it with $5 million of their own. - Airpower Arkansas raised funds for the base's 2010 airshow, collecting more than $50,000 from local businesses and individuals. - Community members donated more than $22,000 in support of the Little Rock AFB Rodeo teams. In addition to financial support, many community members attended the pre-departure breakfast and the post-rodeo celebrations, and a few community members even accompanied the Little Rock AFB rodeo teams to the competition. - Civic leaders sponsored base events including the Air Force Ball, the annual awards ceremony and the Black Knight Heritage Dinner providing deep ticket price discounts for Airmen. These leaders also served meals to Airmen at the base dining facility on Thanksgiving and Christmas. "The Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council, together with central Arkansas communities, has diligently served the men and women of the Little Rock AFB for over 50 years," said Jay Chessir, the Little Rock AFB Community Council president. "It is a prestigious honor to have this service recognized through the awarding of the Abilene Trophy. The Community Council is honored to be the 2009 recipient and extremely proud to be the Home of C-130 Combat Airlift." A traveling trophy will be presented to the Little Rock AFB Community Council during a formal presentation on a date to be determined, and the council will display the trophy until the next winner is named. A smaller, permanent trophy will be presented at the 2011 Spring Rally when the traveling trophy is presented to the next recipient.