News

Robins signs partnership agreements with community

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  • By Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Robins Air Force Base officials inked four agreements Monday as part of a new community partnership program.

The program, called the Air Force Community Partnership Initiative, was created to explore cost-saving opportunities through partnerships and shared services with local communities and the private sector.

These agreements show Robins' commitment in creating practical partnerships with our local community", said Col. Christopher Hill, 78th ABW installation commander.

About 60 base and community partners were on hand to witness the signings.

"We have some partnerships that in a very short amount of time we have brought together. They will be mutually beneficial to Robins and the local community," explained Col Patricia Ross, 78th Air Base Wing vice commander.

One of the agreements allows continuing medical education between regional healthcare entities and the base clinic. Previously, base personnel were sent to other installations with hospitals to receive training. Those personnel can now get training here while the local facilities may get some extra help. The agreement will save Robins about $15,000 per year.

Another agreement allows security forces members and local law enforcement personnel to share firing ranges. This will save security forces members from having to travel to other military bases for firearms training when their range is non-operational.

A third agreement provides area college students work/study opportunities on base, while a fourth opens up a partnership between the base library and the Houston County Library System.

Ross said opportunities for other public-public and public-private partnerships are in the works.

"Other potential partnerships we are exploring include, recreation and a park and ride system, and there are still other ways to partner we may not have even imagined," she said. "We're willing to look at any and everything."