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Employers fly high

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bill Walsh
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  It's not every day that civilians get to fly on Air Force C-17 jets, but employers of 315th Airlift Wing reservists had a unique opportunity to do just that as the wing hosted a civic leader/employer support flight during its December drill.

"It's awesome. Everything about it is awesome," said Ellen Lee, president of Atlantic Pools of Camden, South Carolina. She was just one of forty employers who flew on a regular scheduled local training mission which included an aerial refueling. Lee and the other employers were nominated by the reservists who work for them because of their support of the guard and reserve.

Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Peterson's boss, Tm Padget of SPAWAR, was thrilled with the entire day and had always thought about what it would be like to fly on such large aircraft. "I love being on the ground and watching them land. This flight gives me a whole different perspective," he said as he made his way into the flight deck to view the refueling portion of the mission. "I liked being in the cockpit the best. That was a lot of fun."

Employer support of the reserve is critical to the success of the mission and the people who carry it out every day. Senior Airman Casey Griffin of the 701st Airlift Squadron was one of two loadmasters on the flight. "I love to show people what we do. They might see it on TV but today can experience it for real," said the 26 year old Mt. Pleasant native.

For employers, hiring reservists can be a benefit and lead to the success of their businesses. "I prefer reservists. I seek them out because of their discipline and ability to understand complex things," said Lee. Companies such as AT&T, CSX Railroad, Gulfstream, Time Warner Cable and others were represented on the flight.

"It's important to me to show my boss what we're all about," said Maj. Jeff Liegl of the 317th Airlift Squadron and one of the pilots who flew the mission. Major Liegl's boss, Dennis Hawkins, got to watch all the different aspects of a typical local training mission.

"I can't believe how fast this huge plane can stop," said Lewis McKenzie, nurse manager at the University of North Carolina Medical Center, while standing on the tarmac at North Auxiliary Field watching the crew practice assault landings.

Lt. Col. Keith Moore, 315th Chief of Safety, was the aircraft commander and enjoyed explaining how the life of a reservist includes many hours of training to keep them current in all operations. "Oh, I love it. Glad to show them," he said after the flight.

The group arrived for the mission early in the morning and was greeted by 315th Airlift Wing Commander Colonel James Fontanella who gave them a mission brief and spoke of the three pillars of a reservist's life. For many of these employers it was their first inside look at the military.

"I have a real appreciation for what you all do," Sam Lambert of the Federal Bureau of Prisons said as he shook hands with the aircrew and other reservists who were on board. "This is impressive."

"We try to do this once or twice each year to showcase what we do and build those employer relationships in the community," explained Capt. Wayne Capps, 315th Public Affairs Officer.

After the mission and after the training weekend is over, many of these reservists will go back to their civilian jobs where their bosses will always remember what it's like for them to serve their country each month.

Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315th on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.