Youngstown commander honored by regional chamber Published March 25, 2016 By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Air Force Reserve Col. James Dignan, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing, based at nearby Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS), Ohio, received the Spirit of the Valley Award from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber at their annual meeting held here, March 23, 2013. According to their website, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is a private, non-profit organization that provides leadership and business services to promote the growth of nearly 2,600 members—representing more than 150,000 employees in the Mahoning Valley. Kim Calvert, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Vice President of Marketing and Special Events said 470 people attended the annual meeting and witnessed to the presentation to the YARS commander. Kevin Helmick, President & CEO of Farmers National Bank represented the award underwriters and made remarks during the presentation and said the Spirit of the Valley Award is presented to an individual who has displayed exemplary leadership and commitment to the community, economic development and the overall progress of the valley. Helmick said of the YARS commander, “Our recipient has been in the valley for three years, but he arrived right on time—or, perhaps, just in time— as one of our region’s most valuable assets faces future uncertainties.” Dignan, the latest of 23 individuals to receive the honor, officially took command of the 910th during a change of command ceremony held at YARS, March 2, 2013. During his introduction of the 910th commander, Helmick said, “He has worked tirelessly as an ambassador of our base on the global stage. Yet, his leadership has also had a profound impact here at home, where he has reopened the region’s relationship with the Air Force to a degree not witnessed since prior to the World Trade Center attacks, when security policy essentially closed bases off from communities… (He also) has been key in creating our Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission.” After the introduction, Dignan accepted the chamber’s Spirit of the Valley award and stepped to the microphone to make his own remarks. “The reason I’m up here is because of all the great people that work at Youngstown Air Reserve Station,” said Dignan. As he continued, the commander related a story about meeting an individual in downtown Youngstown, who upon seeing the colonel’s Air Force Airman Battle Uniform, asked “Are you in the Army?” then the individual said he was unaware of the existence of an Air Force installation in the area. The experience prompted Dignan to make a vow. “Before I leave here, whether it’s one year, two years, three years, I’m going to make sure everyone in this valley knows there is a base here and how important that base is to every one of us,” Dignan said. According to the 910th’s 2015 year-in-review publication, the Airstream Almanac, Youngstown Air Reserve Station is home to the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 910th Airlift Wing and is the Mahoning Valley’s fourth largest employer with over 1800 people working at the installation. The installation also had an economic impact of $98.08 million dollars during Fiscal Year 2015. In addition to being home to the 910th, YARS is home to eight C-130H Hercules tactical airlift cargo transport aircraft and the Department of Defense’s only large-area, fixed wing aerial spray capability. The installation also has U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and U.S. Navy Reserve units as well as the Defense Logistics Agency as tenant agencies. “We’re trying to make sure we strengthen this endeavor; we strengthen this base that has been here for over 60 years and make sure that it’s here for the next 60 years... and we do that by building partnerships,” said Dignan. The commander related to the large audience that the 910th has 13 community partnerships in the works with seven more in the starting phase, some as a part of the Air Force Community Partnership Program, in areas such as research, education as well as a blight remediation project with the City of Youngstown resulting in the demolition of 88 dilapidated houses. He also said YARS has 23 first responder mutual aid agreements with neighboring communities and Servicemembers assigned to YARS have put in more than 10,000 mentorship hours of volunteer time in several community outreach programs such as Junior Achievement. “Really this award is not about me, it’s about the 910th Airlift Wing and the Airmen, Sailors and Marines we have working out there and our civilians,” Dignan said. “Nearly 2000 people that are part of your valley… We are the community, we are part of the community… They are your neighbors, your valley, your friends and family. Thank you for having us all here, and thank you for the recognition.”