Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce CEO Walt Wood presented with Air Force community service award

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz recently presented Walter Wood, Arnold Community Council member and Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce corporate executive officer, with the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award.

The occasion for the presentation was the annual Civic Leader program held at Joint Base Andrews, Md., which brought prominent civic representatives from 32 states and Guam together.

The award citation reads in part, "Mr. Walt Wood provided exceptionally distinguished public service to the United States Air Force from January 2008 to January 2012. He conscientiously advised senior Air Force leaders on the development of national and international Air Force programs, and facilitated cooperation between civilian communities and Air Force entities to ensure each program's success. He openly communicated information about Air Force missions and requirements to the American public, increasing awareness and understanding among local, regional and national audiences."

Wood, who recently completed two terms on the ACC board of directors, said, "I was humbled and deeply grateful to receive this type of recognition from the secretary and the chief. [It was] very meaningful, especially since I've gotten to know them over the last several years.

"We have to continue to be supportive of the Air Force and their programs as things change - we still are online to get our new tanker, the strike fighter, the long-range bomber and space platforms. We want to be sure AEDC is involved and engaged with the new way the Department of Defense and the Air Force is dealing with the future."

He said it is important for AEDC's workforce to be in a position to stay focused on the mission.

"We face a very dangerous world," Wood said. "Arnold is on the forefront, making sure aircraft, solid rocket motors and engines work properly and we get as much life as we can out of them. We need [our weapon systems] to do what they're supposed to - when our Airmen, soldiers and other members of the military press the button, pull the trigger or give the command, it's got to work."

Wood said AEDC's capabilities extend beyond Tennessee.

"We have Tunnel 9 and the facility out at NASA Ames," he said. "We have a national presence as far as testing and evaluation activities [are concerned]."

Wood said AEDC is a national treasure, but that new threats require an ongoing commitment to maintain a well-educated workforce, update processes and make the most of the latest technologies.

"The key is that we have been fighting two wars with bombers that were made in the 1950s, tankers that were made in the 1960s and fighters that were made in the 1970s and we're transitioning to a new tanker, our new fighters are coming online," he said. "It's very important that we continue that process.

"We also must be vigilant and make sure that the long-range strike bomber goes forward. [Another] key issue is cyber warfare. The Pentagon is attacked daily by people trying to hack into our command and control system.

Wood added, "There's a strong emphasis by this chief and especially his wife Suzy, and the secretary to support our Airmen and their families. This has been a key activity of those folks for the last several years, which has been very important. I feel very privileged to represent Arnold and Air Force Material Command and the Air Force."