The Chamber provides sponsorship for attendees of Salute to the
Military.
Through the 81st Medical Group, the Keesler Hospital supports the
National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) as a Federal Coordinating
System. The NDMS uses both Federal and non‐Federal medical
resources to respond to natural and man‐made disasters. The Keesler
Hospital is one of three Air Force medical facilities designated as a
coordinating center. The center provides national and regional
emergency management for recovery efforts during times of natural
disaster. The center has played an active role in natural disasters, such
as Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Katrina. During Hurricane Katrina,
the center installed a shelter for the hospital in order to continue
medical services during the storm.
Keesler AFB has a Blood Donor Center on the installation, which is one
of three Air Force blood donor centers in the U.S. The center is a part of
the Armed Services Blood Program, a health agency that coordinates
blood programs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The center conducts
blood drives almost every Monday in the Triangle.
STEM outreach is conducted through STEM Diversity Outreach Day,
which is an annual event that began in 2015 at Keesler AFB. The event
consists of gathering Mississippi Gulf Coast high school Reserve Officer’s
Training Corps (ROTC) units and science students to participate in
activities that support the STEM categories. In 2015, the event drew
nearly 300 students from 10 high schools.
Source: https://biloxibayareachamber.org/board‐of‐directors‐
committees/militaryveterans‐affairs/
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is made up of businesses
throughout the Gulf Coast and is the only accredited chamber in Mississippi.
The chamber has a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce for Biloxi,
Gulfport, Long Beach, and Pass Christian. The following are examples of how
the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce works with Keesler AFB:
The Coast Centurion Association, a part of the chamber, supports the
Armed Forces across the Gulf Coast. The association is made up of
community leaders and military personnel, who are all dedicated to the
Gulf Coast’s military presence.
Salute to the Military is an annual event that highlights military
installations and its commanders along the Gulf Coast. The event is
intended to demonstrate local businesses’ support for the military.
Sources: http://mscoastchamber.com/coast‐centurions‐association/;
http://mscoastchamber.com/mississippi‐gulf‐coast‐chamber‐of‐commerce‐inc/
Direct Community Outreach
In the past, the 2nd AF has hosted Pathways to Blue, a diversity
outreach program intended to recruit talented, diverse cadets for
Air Force careers. A focus was placed on careers that emphasize STEM
specialties. In 2015, the event drew 100 Air Force ROTC cadets from
five universities in the region.
Keesler AFB participates in many local events throughout the Gulf Coast:
The Honorary Commanders are composed of leade