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JB MDL community leaders get first-hand look at Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Twenty civic leaders from the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community joined base leaders on a journey to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas for a community relations tour June 14 and 15.

The purpose of the tour was to highlight and present the Air Force mission and its objectives to a select group of community members who, because of their positions and influence in the local community, could have a wide-spread impact on how others view the Air Force.

The theme of the tour was 'developing and caring for our Airmen in today's changing Air Force while sustaining mission operations.'

The civic leaders and base leadership arrived at Little Rock AFB on a 305th Air Mobility Wing C-17 Globemaster III to start the first leg of the tour. They were greeted by Col. Brian Robinson, the 19th Airlift Wing commander, who introduced them to the various missions and facilities on base including the 'C-130 Center of Excellence.'

This 'center of excellence' campus has state-of-the-art training simulators and instruction tools for the C-130 Hercules used not only by Airmen, but various air crews and pilots from partner nations around the world.

"I was extremely impressed at the level of technology and detail that goes into these simulators and the course," said Judi Tapper, American Gold Star Mothers president. "The men and women who work here just blew my mind."

The group got a quick tour of the C-130J, the newest variant of the aircraft, before hopping back on the C-17 for departure to the second leg of the tour.

The civic leaders arrived at JBSA to receive a unique look at the rigorous training process and ceremonial graduation of today's newest Airmen. They attended a basic military graduation to watch the newest Airmen demonstrate marching precision.

"I haven't seen a graduation ceremony since my own, 21 years ago," said Chief Master Sgt. Terry Topouzoglou, 621st Contingency Response Wing superintendent. "Nothing from the parade has changed, but the training seems to have completely evolved."

The group then trekked to the BEAST training grounds, where Airmen learn critical expeditionary skills. The Airmen's week-long endeavor concludes with a culmination ceremony, where the trainees received dog tags symbolizing their military service.

The contingent of civic leaders and commanders then headed home, concluding their two-day journey.

"This was an ideal opportunity to show the successes and challenges of other bases and how their mission enhances the Air Force's ability to defend our nation," said Col. John Wood, JB MDL commander. "Seeing firsthand how other bases accomplish their missions will provide our local civic leaders with a better understanding and appreciation of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the significant role it has in enhancing Air, Land and Sea power.
This will enhance the civics understanding of the Airmen's role in the Air Force and how the Air Force strives to develop and care for today's Airmen."