Skip to content
Advertisement

Edwards hosts European visitors

Advertisement

The Edwards Air Force Base Civilian Military Support Group (CMSG) welcomed visiting families from Europe recently during an informational gathering at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center in Palmdale.

The gathering was co-sponsored by the city of Palmdale and the Antelope Valley Board of Trade.

Last year, hundreds of families came to the Antelope Valley in support of the F-15 program and to further their education at the test pilot schools at Edwards and the Mojave Air and Spaceport.

The mission of the CMSG is three fold: to establish a friendly association between the residents of the Antelope Valley and the personnel at Edwards Air Force Base; to act as a host group when guests visit Edwards, and to complete an annual service project to benefit the men and women at Edwards.

“We do our best to have fun while we complete our mission,” said John Fergione, CMSG president. “No doubt about it, any excuse to have a get together is okay with us. We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Larry Chimbole Center for allowing us here.”

The event this year saw visitors from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. “I think if we would have asked them for the moon, they would have given it to us,” said Amy Beck who with friend Kristy Huddlestone was visiting from Great Britain. “I can’t thank everyone enough for being so wonderful and generous. This has been so helpful and absolutely amazing.”

Palmdale City Manager David Childs gave remarks that demonstrated some of the distinct differences between Europe and America, quipping that California is “different” from America as the Antelope Valley is “different” from everywhere else. “We sincerely want to make you feel welcomed and comfortable because for many of you, Palmdale is a place you’ll call home … at least for a few years.”

Other representatives of the Antelope Valley in attendance included the Museum of Art and History, the Antelope Valley Allied Art Association and the Jacob Hefter Foundation, a youth support group encouraging leadership and responsible living.

Advertisement

Latest