An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

315th welcomes MacDill AFB civic leaders

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 315AW Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Fourteen local civic leaders returned Friday from a two-day tour to Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Approximately 20 Airmen from the 927th Air Refueling Wing and 6th Air Mobility Wing, including Col. David P. Pavey, 927th ARW commander, Col. Theodore S. Mathews, the 927th ARW vice commander, and Col. Lawrence Martin, 6th AMW commander, also took part in the tour.

The tour, which departed MacDill Thursday morning in a KC-135 Stratotanker, transported the civic leaders, including 12 Honorary Commanders for the 6th AMW and 927th ARW, to Robins first. Along the way, members of the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here set up a display of their equipment and explained their missions to the civic leaders.
While at Robins, the group visited the Air Force Reserve Headquarters and met Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, the Chief of the Air Force Reserve and the Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command. General Stenner explained the various facets of the Reserves and thanked the civic leaders for their patriotism and support.

"We're here because we are a significant part of this nation's defense," General Stenner said, "and so are you. It's not just the military doing everything anymore; it's the nation."

General Stenner also discussed the need for civilian employers of Reservists to show understanding for their Reservists' unique needs as military members. He said Reservists must balance their military jobs, civilian jobs, and families in what he calls the "Reserve Triad." He told the civic leaders that their support is greatly appreciated by each part of the triad.
"Employers right now are doing a fantastic job," he said. "Keep doing what you're doing."

In addition, General Stenner recognized and applauded the strong relationship between 927th ARW Reservists and 6th AMW active-duty service members, who have worked increasingly jointly since the 927th ARW moved to MacDill in 2008.

"You all at MacDill, two big thumbs up; you're doing very well," he said.

While at Robins, the group also toured an F-15 Eagle static display, functional testing area and wing repair shop, where they saw various stages of what it takes to repair and maintain military aircraft. The group departed Robins that afternoon and spent the night in Charleston.

Friday morning, the group received a joint mission briefing from Col. Martha A. Meeker, the 628th Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Michael Speer, the 315th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Col. John Wood, the 437th Airlift Wing commander. They discussed the integrated missions at Charleston and how the active-duty and Reserve units work jointly, similar to MacDill. The group also toured a C-17 Globemaster III static display and the life support facilities before departing for MacDill.

During the flight to MacDill, the KC-135 aircrew demonstrated how an aerial refueling works with a C-17. Civic leaders were given a chance to watch the demonstration beside boom operator Staff Sgt. Eric D. Flanders of the 91st Air Refueling Squadron as he performed a simulated refueling.

Mrs. Vivian Reeves, 927th ARW Honorary Commander, said the tour was a unique experience for her, and she would do it again in a heartbeat.
"I loved every minute of it," Mrs. Reeves said. "It was the best trip I've ever had, and I've been to a lot of places. I felt very honored to be part of it."
Maj. Christopher M. Bragdon, a pilot with the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron, organized this tour and said it was successful and significant.

"This is the first time the 6th and 927th have done a civic leaders tour together," Major Bragdon said. "It's important to have total force integration, and it was a great learning experience for both the civic leaders and the Airmen on the tour."

Colonel Pavey agreed that the tour was a great learning experience that increases in importance as the military becomes smaller.
"Fewer and fewer members in elected positions have served in the military," Colonel Pavey said, "and American influence throughout the world is not only accomplished by the military, but by the influence of our communities. Educating these Honorary Commanders on our mission and letting them see our spectacular Airmen in action was priceless."