Community leaders experience Airmen, airpower

Published April 20, 2009
By Master Sgt. Dean Miller
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Twenty-four civic leaders experienced multiple Air Force missions during a fly-away community relations tour April 7 and 8.

As guests of the 62nd Airlift Wing commander and 446th AW vice commander, the civic leaders visited McChord, Fairchild and Malmstrom Air Force Bases in less than 36 hours, seeing missions from four major Air Force commands and highlighting how the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker and Minuteman III ICBM enhance national security.

Guests arrived early April 7 at the McChord Deployment Processing Line for a mission overview from their hosts, Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, 62nd AW commander, and Col. Lisa Tank, 446th AW vice commander.

"We thank you for your interest in our Airmen and taking time out of your schedules to learn about your Air Force," said Colonel Stephenson. "The strong partnerships we share with you and other members of our community are one of many things that make McChord such a great assignment. In the next 36 hours, you will gain a unique insight into key Air Force missions and see great Airmen conducting critical airpower missions."

For Reserve Airmen of the 446th AW, the civic leaders represent, in many cases, employers and supervisors of wing Airmen. "Your support of our Airmen is absolutely critical," said Colonel Tank. "Without your support, they couldn't step away from their civilian jobs and conduct these critical missions for our nation."

Members of the 62nd Force Support Squadron received the visitors at a fully-manned Deployment Processing Line and explained each station's role in preparing Airmen for Air Expeditionary Force deployments at the start of the visit. The DPL team also issued personal identification tags to each visitor and manifested them on their C-17 - the same service they perform for deploying Airmen.

At the flightline, visitors observed a 62nd Security Forces Squadron demonstration before meeting their combined C-17 aircrew of Airmen from both wings.

Just before taxi, Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron boarded the aircraft for a local training jump scheduled ten minutes into the flight. With the C-17 ramp open, civic leaders had front-row seats to elite Air Force training that underscored another C-17 mission as the special tactics Airmen parachuted to the Crate Drop Zone.

Time spent alongside McChord Airmen was unprecedented for Rev. James Lewis, Associated Ministries of Pierce County president. "It is absolutely fascinating to see how aircraft work and see how Airmen perform the tasks they do," said Reverend Lewis. "I was surprised to see how young the Airmen were in relation to their responsibilities. This was a very important opportunity to see how our military works and the constant attention to detail from all the Airmen."

At Fairchild AFB, Wash, civic leaders were greeted by Col. Robert Thomas, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, staff and key leaders of the Spokane community. McChord visitors were briefed on the role of the nearly-50 year-old-tanker KC-135 aerial tanker and then viewed a KC-135 undergoing deep maintenance and toured a mission-ready aircraft. Also at Fairchild, McChord visitors viewed a Military Working Dog security demonstration and viewed KC-135 take-offs and landings before departing for Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, Mont, for the night.

On April 8, McChord visitors were introduced to the Air Force nuclear enterprise by Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander, during a mission brief on the safe, secure operation of his wing's 13,800+ square mile Minuteman III missile field and support base.

Following the brief, visitors toured a full-size ICBM maintenance trainer as Airmen assembled a multistage Minuteman III training missile. This was followed by a visit to the launch control center trainer where launch officers are evaluated on missile field security, operations and launch procedures. Several civic leaders were given the opportunity to sit before the Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting console and conduct a training launch procedure for a Minuteman III - actually turning keys and verifying the launch status on the training console.

"It was an interesting experience to say the least - sitting in the same seat as an Airman who may have the responsibility to launch these weapons some day," said Rick Stevens, Pierce Military Business Alliance board member. "When you know these Airmen train all the time on this system and it is a critical capability, it was a surreal experience.

"It's comforting to know that we have folks out there as competent as we have at our own installation; all of these young Airmen are very intelligent and obviously in tune with the jobs they do," said Stevens. "It is always impressive to meet with Airmen who secure our country; it provides a great sense of security for me and my family."

Key to every operation in the nation's missile field is security. The visitors were briefed on the mission of the 341st Security Forces Group and the variety of weapons and capabilities they possess. McChord visitors also toured the UH-1N helicopter squadron with a primary role to enhance missile field security by transport of the 341st SFG Tactical Response Force.

Back aboard the C-17, before returning from Malmstrom, the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron performed a litter patient load demonstration and briefed the unique in-flight medical capability they provide. In flight, guests visited the flight deck for briefings from aircrew, were briefed on crew stations, airdrop procedures and equipment throughout the C-17. The return mission included a combat take-off and combat-stop, on landing.

"This type of mission is vital," said Senior Master Sgt. Lou Orrie, 8th Airlift Squadron superintendent and mission loadmaster. "It's important for our community to know what we do. You can see it on TV, read about it in the news, or hear about it from Airmen, but for citizens to fly a mission with us and share that experience will others, it tells the Air Force story in a very powerful way."

Community relations tour