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Chaplains teach the meaning of citizen airmen

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  Community outreach and ministry to the masses are what military chaplains are most known for. On Saturday, the chaplains assigned to 315th Airlift Wing had the opportunity to do just that. 

Clergy members from around South Carolina converged on Charleston AFB, S.C. on Feb. 4, 2006 to participate in events designed to educate them about military service during the 315th Airlift Wing sponsored clergy day. 

The event was set up by the 315th Chaplain’s Service Team, winners of the 2005 Air Force Reserve Command’s Outstanding Chaplain Service Award, as an outreach program giving local clerics the chance to see how reservists assigned to their parishes serve their country. 

The event gave the padres a glimpse of a day-in-the-life of a reservist. “A lot of pastors don’t understand what their military members go through. We need to support them in what they do,” said Rev. Clegg Taylor, chaplain at the Medical University of South Carolina. 

The clergy participated in numerous tours of base facilities, a luncheon sponsored by members of the 81st Aerial Port Squadron and finished with a local flight aboard one of Charleston’s 54 C-17 Globemaster III’s. During the flight, the C-17 crew demonstrated the capabilities of the jet, including low level flight and air drop operations. 

“They came away a lot more educated about the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Carl Yost, wing chaplain for the 315th AW. 

Discussing the importance of the event, Chaplain Yost said that by providing civilian pastors with a better understanding about the military, they will be better equipped to serve the spiritual need of their military members and families. “The clergy were representative of the different faith groups and they represent the population at large. This was a great tool to show the public what citizen Airmen are all about,” said Yost.