366th MUNS hosts honorary commander and Ada County Highway District guests Published May 21, 2024 By Lt. Col. Bret Evans 366th Munitions Squadron MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Mountain Home Air Force Base’s Honorary Commander program is a hallmark initiative demonstrating both the 366th Fighter Wing’s professionalism and the Gunfighters’ commitment to forging ironclad community partnerships. On Thursday, May 9, the 366th Munitions Squadron hosted 11 visitors from the Ada County Highway District, including Mr. Bruce Wong, a retired Air Force colonel, former Gunfighter, current director of the ACHD, and, most notably, the 366th MUNS Honorary Commander, for an open house. Organized by 2nd Lt. Samuel Caballero III, the systems flight commander for the 366th MUNS, the ACHD open house consisted of briefings and tours showcasing specialties from across the maintenance complex. These began with immersions in the munitions storage area to learn about munitions maintenance from the precision guided munitions and conventional maintenance sections. They moved on to the armament high bay to learn about gun systems, bomb racks, pylons, and missile launchers with the armament maintenance and alternate mission equipment sections. Finally, they visited the load barn to learn about aspects of the aircraft generation process with an emphasis on the linkages between munitions production, armament systems production, and weapons loading. In a luncheon at Strikers Grill following the open house, Mr. Wong’s party was joined by 366th MUNS leaders and Col. James Schieser, commander of the 366th Maintenance Group, where the Gunfighter legacy was discussed and questions were posed by the ACHD guests. “He is the consummate professional,” said Lt. Col. Bret Evans Jr., commander of the 366th MUNS. “Mr. Wong is roughly the equivalent of a two or three-star general in Idaho’s civic arena, meaning he has several friends in high places. Instead of bringing his senior staff or executive peers, he used this open house as a mentorship opportunity, investing in the ACHD’s future by bringing a team of young leaders comparable to our staff or technical sergeant experience range to gain insights from today’s events. They’re lucky to have him.” While it was an overwhelmingly positive experience, May 9th’s ACHD Open House did come with a downside. The event represented one of Mr. Wong’s final engagements in his capacity as the ACHD Director and 366th MUNS Honorary Commander. After joining the ACHD in 2011 and making history as the district’s longest serving director, Mr. Wong will retire from the ACHD on May 23, 2024 after thirteen years of dedicated service to the people of Idaho and Ada County. Mr. Wong expressed his thanks to Col. Schieser, 366th FW leadership and the 366th MUNS for hosting his team, specifically praising the AMMO, armament and load crew Airmen who served as tour guides. “We were so very impressed with the mission focus, professionalism, pride, energy and dedication,” said Wong. “Given how much energy and passion for the Air Force and your mission we saw today, the 366th Fighter Wing is in great hands.” While Mr. Wong is retiring, his involvement in the military community will continue. Between his new role as a board member for Boise State University’s Colleges of Art and the Environment and attending Bronco football games, he will continue his philanthropic work.