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315 AW hosts ESGR Bosslift

  • Published
  • By Lt Joe Simms
  • 315th AW Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON --  Employers and human resource managers from South Carolina traveled to Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi Miss, with the 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. as a part of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's annual Bosslift June 21-22.

The flight was part of a training mission for the 317th Airlift Squadron and 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron which introduced employers to the Air Force Reserve and allowed them to see what their employees do when they report for Unit Training Assemblies or annual training.

"Events such as the Bosslift are very important when it comes to building relationships between the community and the AF Reserve," Colonel Russell Fingar, 315th Airlift Wing commander said. "Without support from the civilian employers we would not be able to accomplish our mission."

Fingar greeted employers from the Charleston area early in the morning before departing on a C-17 Globemaster III for McEntire Air National Guard Base, Eastover S.C. While on the ground at McEntire the group from Charleston got an up-close look at an F-16 and picked up additional employers and ESGR representatives for the trip to Keesler AFB.

During the two hour flight employers were able to see an aerial refueling from the flight deck, participate in Aeromedical training scenarios, and try on a parachute. After arriving in Mississippi the civilians were introduced to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" and were given a chance to walk through one of their C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The mission of the Hurricane Hunters is to provide surveillance of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the central Pacific Ocean for the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

For many civilians this was the first time they have seen the day to day mission of the Air Force Reserve.

"I just wanted to thank the 315th for the wonderful trip, it was great to see how the Air Force works," said Katie Ballenger Human Resource Manager with Securitas Security Services. "The trip was a blast and thank you all for your kindness."

The ESGR serves as an advocate for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers by increasing awareness of laws and policies and educating employers on the relationship between their civilian and military commitments.