Page 44 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2016

KEESLER AFB making an impact
QUALITY OF LIFE
Air Force base brings people, skills and dollars to South Mississippi
Pstory by Susan Ruddiman photos courtesy of KAFB
eople from all over the United States arrive at Keesler Air Force Base to get a job done, but then find the lure of the Mississippi Gulf Coast makes them reluctant to leave.
“Before coming to Keesler, I was in transit and had only spent a few hours on the base. Since being
assigned here, I have found it to be incredible — a hidden gem amongst Air Force installations. The community atmosphere makes you feel at home,” said Col. Dennis Scarborough, 81st Training Wing vice commander.
He is quick to point out his priority is to oversee the 81st Training Wing’s mission to train Air Force personnel, as well as those from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Defense Department civilians, who can continue to protect the United States. There are between 2,000 and 2,500 students on Keesler at any given time. Overall, an average of 28,000 to 30,000 students who have completed initial skills training and advance skills training graduate each year, and move on to new assignments across the world. However, some end up returning.
James “JJ” Vollmuth did just that. He arrived at Keesler in the mid-1950s as a young recruit to learn how to be an air traffic controller, and ended up making the coast his home because, “I married a girl from Biloxi,” he said. His career of about 50 years spanned his time in the Air Force — where he retired as a chief master sergeant — to being an air traffic controller instructor at Cody Hall. Of their two sons, one has retired as a colonel in the Air Force and now makes his home in St. Martin.
Vollmuth’s assignment at Keesler and his decision to stay is weaved into the thousands of stories from others who have gone through the base’s gates over the decades. Each person has left an impression that has made a positive economic impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
“Biloxi is favorable with its low taxes and quality of life. People come back time after time, and the dollars turn over. Keesler Air Force Base is a tremendous asset to our community,” said Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gillich.
“All my life, Keesler has been here, and it’s so important to the
Retired Lt. Col. Henry Burkle, who was stationed at Keesler during World War II, views KAFB memorabilia during Keesler’s 75th Anniversary Historical Display Unveiling. A display featuring 14 historical panels created by Keesler personnel was unveiled along with the newest 75th anniversary logo.
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