OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Aeronautics Commission Government Relations and Communications Manager, Sandra Shelton, is among seventeen leaders from across the metro area chosen to participate in the Tinker Honorary Commander program in 2022. Now in its 25th year, the program matches members of the community with key leaders from Tinker Air Force Base for one year. Shelton was paired with Col. Rudolf Kuehne and the Air Force Flight Standards Agency.
Shelton joined the Aeronautics Commission in April 2016 as the Aviation Education Coordinator & Government Affairs Liaison. She assumed additional responsibilities as the Communications coordinator a few months later and was promoted to Government Relations and Communications Manager in November 2021. She is accountable for marketing, communications, external affairs, and legislative policy for the agency.
Shelton has led several agency initiatives including the creation of Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day which began in 2017 when the Commission presented a bill to the Oklahoma legislature to officially recognize the contribution of Oklahoma women in the State’s aviation and aerospace industry in state statute December 9th annually. Shelton has also led AERO Oklahoma, the advocacy day held annually at the State Capitol during the legislative session, which hosted over 1,000 people in 2019.
Honorary Commanders will explore Tinker’s role in the Air Force through tours of the world’s largest jet engine repair facility, the 552nd Air Control Wing’s Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft, and the Air Force’s only flight standards agency. In addition, they will experience an aerial refueling flight on a KC-135, and tour the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE. The activities provide opportunities for each of the leaders involved to learn more about the mission and professional responsibilities that Tinker’s leaders have.