Ellsworth welcomes new honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By Steven J. Merrill
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Fourteen area civic and business leaders were officially inducted into the Ellsworth
Honorary Commanders program as part of the Black Hills Military Advisory Coalition’s Chow
Hall luncheon at The Monument Convention Center Jan. 19.

Col. Joseph Sheffield, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, formally welcomed those
selected to participate in the program – designed to develop mutually beneficial partnerships
with community leaders and foster a better understanding of the base and its mission – and
thanked those who completed their terms in the program.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support you have provided our Raider Airmen and
families. We hope you share your experiences and what you have learned during your time as
an Honorary Commander with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues around the community,”
Sheffield said. “And, to those of you joining the program – welcome to the Raider family. It is an
exciting time at Ellsworth AFB with a lot going on, and even more adventures on the horizon. I
encourage you to enjoy this opportunity and make the most of it.”

Area leaders who, because of their position or influence in the community, have a positive
impact on the public support for the base are selected for the program. The wing commander
selects who participates in the program and which unit they will be assigned for their two-year
terms.

Individuals handpicked to begin their terms this year include:
◼ Scott Landguth, South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority executive director
◼ Pat Burchill, Monument Health board of directors
◼ Tom Johnson, Elevate Rapid City CEO
◼ Todd Tucker, Antelope Ridge community planner
◼ Mitch Mudlin, The Real Estate Group advisor
◼ Shannon Brinker, KW Commercial broker
◼ Andy Scull, Scull Construction president
◼ Brendyn Medina, Rapid City Police Department public information officer
◼ Marvin Larabee, Great Western Bank vice president
◼ Craig Bailey, Novum Nano, LLC
◼ Doug Lind, Lind-Exco president
◼ Marsha Nichols, Black Hills Energy corporate communications
◼ Michelle Kane, South Dakota Center for Enterprise opportunity director
◼ Mark Vargo, Pennington County state’s attorney

For more information about the Ellsworth Honorary Commanders program, call the 28th BW
Public Affairs office at (605) 385-5056.
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