Airmen from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing join honorary commanders and community leaders for a group photo during the Beale 360 Tour at Beale Air Force Base on Sept. 25. Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, CA (MPG) - Civic and business leaders from across Northern California gathered at Beale Air Force Base on Sept. 25 for the annual Beale 360 Tour, offering participants a behind-the-scenes look at the installation's aircraft, military operations and global defense mission.

Among those in attendance were Yuba City Mayor Marc Boomgaarden, Yuba City Councilmember Dave Shaw, Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter Chief Operating Officer John Nicoletti, Yuba-Sutter Food Bank Executive Director Maria Ball, Hilbers Inc. CEO Kurt Hilbers and Sutter Buttes Brewing co-owner Scott Sargent.

The full-day event brought together members of Beale's Honorary Commander Program, which pairs civilian leaders with military commanders to strengthen relationships between the base and surrounding communities.

U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Typolt, 9th Reconnaissance Wing deputy commander, examines protective equipment used by explosive ordnance disposal personnel during the Beale 360 Tour on Sept. 25. Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez

"The Honorary Commander Program is an invaluable, voluntary initiative designed to build lasting personal and professional bridges between Beale Air Force Base and our surrounding Northern California communities," said U.S. Air Force Col. Kenneth Joseph, 940th Mission Support Group commander. "We pair civic leaders and business owners with military commanders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and foster mutual understanding. It demystifies the military mission for our civilian neighbors, while giving our military personnel a deep appreciation for the community we call home."

One of the tour's highlights was an up-close look at two of Beale's aircraft: the U-2 Dragon Lady and the T-38 Talon. The U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying above 70,000 feet, gathering intelligence through specialized sensors and imaging technology. Pilots must wear full-pressure suits similar to those worn by astronauts to operate in the extreme conditions at those altitudes. The T-38 Talon, a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer, plays an important role in maintaining pilot proficiency. At Beale, the aircraft has been used to support training for U-2 pilots.

Visitors had the opportunity to speak with pilots and technicians about the aircraft, their unique flight characteristics and the specialized equipment required to operate them.

"The two aircraft and the missions they fly are all impressive," said Boomgaarden, who serves as honorary commander of the 9th Intelligence Squadron.

Airmen from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing showcase the U-2 Dragon Lady, left, and T-38 Talon, right, to visiting civic leaders during the Beale 360 Tour at Beale Air Force Base on Sept. 25. Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Victoria Johnson

Beyond the flight line, participants witnessed demonstrations of the base's emergency response and defense capabilities. At Fire Station 1, personnel from the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight and 9th Security Forces Squadron demonstrated coordinated emergency response procedures, bomb disposal robotics and military working dog operations.

Additional stops introduced visitors to Beale's aerial refueling capabilities, combat ammunition operations and intelligence gathering and distribution systems, illustrating the range of military missions conducted at the installation.

Throughout the day, military leadership emphasized the importance of cooperation between active-duty personnel, reserve forces and the civilian communities surrounding Beale. The event concluded with an informal gathering at Moos & Brews, an on-base restaurant, where participants continued conversations about community partnerships and quality-of-life priorities for military families.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chad Raney, 9th Intelligence Squadron commander, emphasized that strong relationships with neighboring communities ultimately support military readiness.

"Being able to relate to the community ensures our neighbors understand what our Airmen are going through, and that support helps them so that when they need to show up for work—at whatever time of the day—they are prepared and ready to focus on the mission."

The annual tour is part of Beale's ongoing efforts to connect Northern California civic leaders with the airmen and military operations based in their region.

This article was adapted from reporting by Senior Airman Victoria Johnson, 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs, published Sept. 29, 2026. Additional local attendee information was provided to the Territorial Dispatch.