Commissioners hear from 413th Flight Test Group Commander, sign Salvation Army proclamation

PERRY — The Houston County Board of Commissioners heard from Col. William DeWalt, Commander of the 413th Flight Test Group. 

DeWalt described the 413th Flight Test Group as unique within the reserve and the entire Air Force. He said they are the only organization that provides depot flight tests. 

“Here at Robins, we’re responsible for the C-5s, all variants of the F-15s and all variants of the Air Force C-130s,” he said. “We also have the ASCS, which is a medical squadron that handles reservists, guardsmen and some very small active duty on Robins in support of the 78th Medical Group.” 

DeWalt was first commissioned in the United States Air Force back in 2002. He was born in Atlanta, but was raised in Texas. 

“I immediately went into pilot training out of the [Air Force] Academy and Del Rio, Texas, and Corpus Christi, Texas, and my first duty station was Hurlburt Field in the panhandle of Florida,” he said. “ I spent most of my career at Hurlburt Field while I was active duty and Duke Field as a reservist.” 

DeWalt flew AC-130 gunships and other light aircraft while in active duty and said reservists were tasked with an aviation advisory role. 

“We would travel in small groups to foreign countries that we sold aircraft to and taught them the basic operations of flying,” he said. “I personally think this is an underutilized role within the Air Force as I think building partner capacity so that they can stand on their own two feet without us there, is critical for National Security.” 

DeWalt moved to Robins Air Force Base over four years ago. He took a Headquarters job for a year, then transitioned to the 413 Flight Test group as a pilot for the C-130s. He said Robins Air Force Base is very conscious of its impact on the community. 

“We take this job very very seriously, and it is very important to us to give the best products back to the warfighter,” he said. 

One challenge DeWalt pointed out was the scale of their job itself. He said many maintainers are aging out, to an extent. 

“I know the [Air Logistics Complex] is working very hard to create training programs and other ways to incentivize new hires to come and work on these aircraft,” he said. “I know that the ALC has really done a good job in creating the training programs to make sure we have quality maintainers in these aircrafts.” 

DeWalt had high praise for these maintainers. He said he has never once been nervous taking an airplane given by the maintainers at Robins. 

DeWalt said many members of the 413th Flight Test Group live in Houston County and love living here. 

“My wife and I were nervous moving up here, and I can tell you we have had nothing but a good experience. We will stay here once I retire from the 413th in a year,” he said. “You do a great job making us feel at home and the support we get from the local area is exceptional. I really have no complaints.”

Commissioners shared their appreciation towards DeWalt and thanked him for his service at Robins Air Force Base. 

“We always say we’re so proud to be the host community to Robins Air Force Base, we’re proud to have you as part of this community and we want you to know that we’re here for you,” Commissioner Mark Byrd said. “Thank you for all that yall do in maintaining the aircraft and testing them as it’s beyond what you could say important for making sure our warfighters have the proper equipment,” Commissioner Gail Robinson said. 

The Board signed a proclamation stating next week as Salvation Army Appreciation Week in Houston County, part of a nationwide recognition. Tim and Paula Blevins spoke on the history of the Salvation Army. 

Tim Blevins said William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army in the 1800s, and the organization spans over 134 countries.  

“General Booth was nearing the end of his life and called a worldwide meeting of Salvationists. The closer the time came to the meeting, he realized he wasn’t going to be physically present because of his health,” he said. 

Booth then sent a telegram to this congress that said “others”. 

“I have to believe that William Booth pulled that from Philippians 2:4 right before the passage that talks about the mind of Christ and about not being concerned with your own things but the things of others,” he said. “That really epitomizes the ministry of the Salvation Army, and humanly speaking, that is what attracted us.” 

Paula Blevins shared another phrase Booth used a lot, which is, soup, soap and salvation. 

“Soup is meeting someone’s physical needs with food, soap is helping to get them to a point of improving some things in their lives and salvation is basically the ultimate goal for everyone, to know Jesus Christ,” she said. “William Booth and his wife found that many times, they really couldn’t share the Gospel of Jesus with someone if they were hungry or had other physical needs in their lives.” 

Paula Blevins said their Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Luncheon, kicking off Salvation Army Appreciation Week, will be held Monday, May 12, at the Wellston Center in Warner Robins. 

In new business, the Board approved special exception applications for a massage therapy business, a gas appliance and service technician business and a pressure washing business. 

Commissioners also approved a Memorandum of Understanding through Mental Health Matters in Middle Georgia and an Infrastructure Intergovernmental Agreement for the management of the county water system. The agreement is between Houston County, the City of Centerville, the City of Perry and the City of Warner Robins. 

According to the agenda, the memorandum of understanding is for the education and assistance of the community, including first responders, regarding the awareness of opioid addiction, available opioid treatment resources, and developing opioid harm education strategies through Mental Health Matters of Middle Georgia. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at the Houston County Annex on 200 Carl Vinson Parkway. 

The full agenda of the meeting can be found at www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2025-05-06%20Department%20Head.pdf