Karen Getchell, a Tacoma native and mother to three grown sons who serves as the community liaison for Patriot's Landing in DuPont, has been named to the post of honorary commander to Gen. Carlton D. Everhart, II, Air Mobility Command. 

In this two-year appointment, Getchell will serve as one of 10 honorary commanders to be the "eyes and ears for community engagements, issues, etc.," for Air Mobility Command (AMC) installations around the country, she said.

As the honorary commander for McChord Field, Getchell's job will be to educate people about the role of the AMC in supporting both the Air Force and the surrounding communities.

"The AMC desires for civilians to be knowledgeable of their mission," Getchell said. "The Air Force plays such a vital role not only in our Armed Forces but (also) in our communities.  The more knowledgeable people are, the more accepting and supportive they are.  Awareness increases our community bond."

Just what is the mission of the AMC?

Headquartered at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, the AMC has four core mission areas: airlift, air refueling, air mobility support and aeromedical evacuation. The AMC also provides support to the nuclear enterprise, Getchell said.

"Airlift provides the capability to deploy U.S. Armed Forces anywhere in the world within hours and help sustain them in a conflict," she said. "AMC also supports presidential and senior leader airlift.  Air refuelers are the backbone of global reach, increasing coalition and U.S. aircraft's range mid-air. Aeromedical evacuation ensures that wounded warriors get the care they deserve, and to date has sustained a survival rate of 97 percent. In addition to enabling the force to respond to an enemy attack and sustain operations, rapid global mobility brings humanitarian supplies and assistance to those in need who may live in austere locations."

Getchell, who is also involved with the Air Force Association, the Pierce Military Business Alliance, and serves as the honorary commander for the 627 Air Base Group, believes she was chosen for the position because of her passion for the military.

"I had no real knowledge of our Armed Forces prior to accepting my position at Patriots Landing three years ago," she said. "After interacting with our veterans and our servicemembers over the course of those three years, there will never be a time again where I am not actively supporting our military.  I cannot express to you what it means to me that men and women are not only willing, but have actually laid down their lives for me. Me ... someone they have never met.  The last three years have forever changed my life."

Over the next two years, Getchell said she hopes to "obtain a deep knowledge of the mission and working of the AMC ... I desire to share that information as well as my passion for all our servicemembers with our local communities. I am honored beyond words to be selected for this position.  I hope that I can make them proud of their selection."

Photo credit: Rob Rose of Brant Photography