At the same time we learned the Barksdale Trophy will be returning to Abilene, and likely passed around as it was to local businesses and institutions last time, news broke that two Dyess Air Force Base personnel were relieved of their duties, both in the 317th Airlift Wing.
“Accountability at all levels is essential, and we will not tolerate behavior inconsistent with Air Force guidance, our core values or ethical standards,” said Col. James Young, who commands the wing.
Then came news that a Dyess airman had been arrested and accused of assaulting a female minor in Weatherford. Authorities are investigating if there are other victims, and asking them to step forward.
Recently, the online publication Task and Purpose re-released a 2016 report that included Dyess on its list of “5 Air Force Bases You Want to Avoid.” Others were Los Angeles AFB, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling near Washington, D.C., and Hanscom AFB near Bedford, Mass.
That’s pretty much across the country.
Dyess and Abilene were criticized for:
- Being too hot in the summer.
- Little to do here.
- Long waiting list for base housing.
- High crime rates.
- Being “overly religious”
Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Coltrin of the 7th Bomb Wing fired back, and we do, too. Within reason.
First, dang right it’s hot here in the summer. Our more religious folks would say, if you think it’s hot here …
Then again, it was minus-4 in February. We try to accommodate everyone.
We are known as the “buckle of the Bible belt” and for “having a church on every corner.” We do have three denomination-affiliated universities.
That may be too much for some people but Abilene, overall, is not apologetic.
Nothing to do? That has improved since 2015. We see airmen in uniform walking downtown, bused from the base and given a tour. Many were unaware of what the city offers. We don’t have a major concert every weekend, and we do trend toward country. But we have craft beer and bourbon, a zoo, a March Madness basketball team, barbecue and big skies that are blue in the day and twinkle at night.
Got free time? Join the Dyess We Care Team and make a difference.
As for base housing, Dyess has to answer for that. But as for living off base in areas where crime was said to be rampant, that has improved in recent years under chiefs Stan Standridge and now Marcus Dudley Jr.
There has been an uptick in murders this year, but those most often are drug related or domestic. Trouble most often has to find you.
On the flipside, in reaction to social unrest across the nation in 2020, Abilene sought to unify rather than pull apart. For airmen and their families from elsewhere, an example is provided here. Maybe that’s due to the city being “overly religious.”
Abilene isn’t perfect. Can we hear an amen?
Yet, we see Air Force families stay here after retirement and settle into the West Texas way of life. Air Force veterans such as Bill Ehrie, Larry Gill and Mike McMahon found prosperous second careers in leadership roles.
Ironically, the Barksdale Trophy that Abilene earned in 2017 – the winner of the biennial award is not eligible for the next presentation – is a testament to the city’s involvement with its Air Force base.
With that kind of community-based partnership and the coming of the B-21 bomber, we believe Dyess will show up on more lists as one of the best bases at which to be stationed.
Hot or cold.
Abilene Reporter News
