KMC gathers for first Joint Community Town Hall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community attended the first Joint Community Town Hall April 3 at the Officers' Club here.

"This is not technically a joint base but we are a joint organization because we work better together," said Brig. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, 21st Theater Sustainment Command commander.

The 86th Airlift Wing, in partnership with U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern, hosted the town hall meeting in order to increase community participation and let the community's voice be heard.

"It's not Air Force or Army; it's all of us in the largest group of Americans outside the continental U.S. We really are a family, we really are a community," said Brig. Gen. C. K. Hyde, 86th AW commander.

The conference kicked off with the signing of an anti-bullying proclamation by KMC leaders. Following the signing, representatives from different squadrons and organizations spoke about what is happening around the community.

"We need to make the community in which we live and work a better place for all of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families," said Hyde.

A representative from the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron touched on school, child and bus stop safety, as well as crime prevention.

The Ramstein zone manager for the Defense Commissary Agency, Europe gave updates about Ramstein's commissary estimated reopening in fall 2013. The Vogelweh commissary construction, which includes a bank, is scheduled to reopen August 2012.

The Department of Defense Education Activity's superintendent Dr. Dell W. McMullen, talked about children's education and how technology is changing the way we learn.

"In order for today's student to think in a competitive, global environment, it's absolutely critical that he or she be able to adapt, innovate and think systemically," said McMullen.
As a part of the town-hall meeting, there was an open forum where members of the community were able to express concerns and ask questions.

One question came up about developing a "good idea" web page where community members would have a spot to share improvements. Piggee and Hyde both had an answer to the question.

Piggee: I would encourage you to use the "Ask the Commander" email. We've had a lot of discussion on improving our social media capability, and I will tell you sometime in the near future we will have that capability where you can go in and give good ideas. I would also ask you to take advantage of the ICE program that we currently have. I would tell you it is an underutilized system that I think will give you the resources that you are asking for. So two things, don't be afraid to send me an email, "Ask the Commander", my goal is to answer those within 24 hrs, unless it's a weekend.

Hyde: We also have a Commander's Action Line, just like Gen. Piggee. Please send your questions and comments in there. We have a dedicated staff that helps put together answers for those and any good ideas you have are welcome. We don't necessarily have all of them so we rely on you with your inputs because you see our services, our bases and our installations from a different perspective. So not only do we welcome your input, but we need your help and your perspective in order to help us see our blind spots and where we can improve.