KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Once a month senior enlisted Airmen from across the base gather to share ideas, engage with their peers and discuss ways to improve the installation.
This meeting of the minds happens the second Wednesday of the month during the Keesler Top III meetings at 3:30 p.m. in the Bay Breeze Event Center’s third floor Dragon’s Lair.
“We need you . . . what you know and what you bring to the fight is what we need,” said Senior Master Sgt. Melanie Townsend, Top III president and 81st Comptroller Squadron superintendent. “Come out and join your peers as we inspire and develop, not just ourselves, but all of Keesler Air Force Base.”
The group’s initiatives in the coming months will be driven by a survey launched on the organization’s Facebook page. The new executive council hopes to use the survey results to align operations with member interests.
“I know you are busy caring for the mission and our people, both of which deserve our unyielding attention and dedication,” said Master Sgt. David Boydston, Top III vice president and 81st Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant. “Just as you allocate much of your time to grow your Airmen, your Keesler Top III is poised to care for our training wing families, mentor our current and future leaders and integrate with our local community.”
The Top III board hopes to host two mentorship opportunities each quarter between the Keesler Airman's Council, Keesler 5/6 Group and Keesler Company Grade Officer Council. The group is also working to better integrate the knowledge and experience of the installation’s chief master sergeant community.
“Keesler's Top III is a vibrant and dedicated organization that has always focused its efforts on celebrating, mentoring and supporting our Airmen and their families,” Boydston said. “With our robust growth of opportunities helping Team Keesler, we need the entire Top III community to come out, lead our teammates, grow our next generation, support their families and minimize our overall workload with many hands and stronger friendships.”
Plans are currently forming for the Top III to host a summer community service event. In addition, the group will lead the May master sergeant release party.
“During the last quarter, Keesler's Top III provided two home-cooked dinners at the Haven for dorm residents, hosted the Wing's annual awards ceremony recognizing 32 All-Stars, provided guidance to the Airman's, 5/6 and CGO councils, funded Keesler's varsity basketball team, Women's History Month and the Professional Development Center's renovations, celebrated 10 leaders transitioning into the top 2.5 percent of enlisted Airmen and formed a Top III scholarship award at each Community College of the Air Force graduation,” Boydston said.
For more information about the Top III, email their organization box at 81TRW.TopIII.PnP@us.af.mil.