DM50 Events
Operation COPE
Recognizing the stress on military families prior to deployment and later upon return, Operation COPE was initiated at DM in 2008. This educational and spiritual program is conducted away from DM in a relaxing environment where families can get away together and enjoy seminars, lectures, group meetings and study sessions all designed to help them cope with the stress of deployment. These programs are held twice a year and are co-funded by the DM50 and the Tucson Community Cares Foundation. This program requires about $20,000 in funding annually. Read a recent participant's feelings about the program.
Bachelor of Applied Science in Meteorology
The University of Arizona, in conjunction with DM-50 and the Air Force, announced in early 2010 the new Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in meteorology, available through distance learning. The DM50 is leading the fund raising effort to write courses for this groundbreaking program. The Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) in Meteorology is a 2+2 distance learning program designed for a student who is already in possession of a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, with a concentration in weather. The student who successfully completes a further 2 years of course work through the University of Arizona will be awarded a BAS (meteorology) degree. The BAS allows students to fully utilize their AAS degree by applying the credit for their associate degree towards the bachelor's degree. By completing 60 additional credits approved by the University, students can earn the BAS degree within two years.
Military Community Relation Committee
The Military-Community Relations Committee (MCRC) is established to bring together Davis-Monthan AFB (DMAFB), the City of Tucson, Pima County, business and neighborhood interests within the DM-Tucson Metropolitan area to implement or monitor implementation of the recommendations of the Military-Community Compatibility Committee (MC3), share information, collaborate to find and implement mutually satisfactory solutions that involve DMAFB operations, and work for the betterment of the entire community in an atmosphere of respect. The MCRC was created in response to recommendations from both the 2004 Joint Land Use Study and the 2006 Military-Community Compatibility Committee. The City of Tucson and Davis-Monthan share a long heritage of working together, dating back to the 1920s. As a result, the DM50 is committed to the MCRC, providing wing resources and direct administrative support to enhance the dialogue and potential of the MCRC.
Annual DM50 Child Car Safety Seat Program
Realizing that many of the base personnel stationed at DM are young, newly married families, sometimes the purchase of a car seat for their children becomes a financial hardship. A number of years ago, the DM-50 took on this challenge to ensure the safety of these children. The DM-50 Car Safety Seat Program has grown to the point where now the DM-50 donates car seats at the cost of $10,000 annually to the base. Now, anyone who has a need for a car seat(s) gets them free of charge, along with a personalized tutorial on their use. This program paid huge dividends in 2008, when a young family placed 2 car seats in their car in preparation for a trip to San Diego. Four hours later, the family was involved in a rollover accident on I-8 and due to the child seats everyone was safe.
DM-DAY Football Game
For the past three years, the DM50 has hosted 2,000-3,000 base personnel and their families to a huge tailgate UA football game. They have witnessed pre-game A-10 flyovers and moving halftime recognitions of key base personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. For many of the airmen, this is their first exposure to the University of Arizona and/or a major college football environment.
DM50 Annual Picnic
One of the most popular events of the year at DM, over 9,000 base personnel and their families spend a Saturday afternoon at Bama Park and enjoy a hosted picnic. The picnic provides free food, beer, games, a live country band, jumping castles, military displays, prizes and other entertainment.
Blake Down DM50 Golf Tournament
A DM50 tradition, the annual DM-50 golf tourney allows us to raise funds for the Kachina Fund, a fund that provides unrestricted support for the DM Wing Commander.