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Edwardsville, ILL., April 3, 2014… A crowd of more than 350 gathered this evening at the Leadership Council’s Salute to Southwestern Illinois Awards Dinner to honor and pay tribute to Scott Air Force Base. Those in attendance celebrated the tremendous impact Scott Air Force Base has had on our region over the past decade. 

Scott Air Force Base was recognized for attracting new missions and construction dollars and strengthening its presence in Southwestern Illinois. Today, the base is a $3.2 billion economic engine for our region. The vital role Scott plays in our nation’s defense was also showcased, as the Leadership Council honored several of the individual missions at Scott AFB and the men and women behind them.

Accepting the 2014 Salute to Southwestern Illinois Award on behalf of Scott Air Force Base was Col. Kyle Kremer, Installation Commander for the base. Specific missions that were honored include U.S. Transportation Command (USTC), Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), 18th Air Force Headquarters, 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC), Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC), 375th Air Mobility Wing, 932nd Airlift Wing and 126th Air Refueling Wing.

The event was held at the Four Points by Sheraton in Fairview Heights, Ill. KMOX News Anchor and Reporter Carol Daniel served as emcee for the evening, while Lindenwood University-Belleville served as the patron sponsor.

The Leadership Council’s Annual Salute to Southwestern Illinois program salutes those individuals and organizations that have displayed outstanding leadership and have positively impacted our region. For more information, visit www.leadershipcouncilswil.com.