Reserve hosts nation's employers at Dobbins

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  More than 20 employers of Air Force Reservists from around the country arrived at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia May 15 to receive a tour of the base and learn about the capabilities of America’s Citizen Airmen.

“You all were nominated by your Citizen Airmen,” Lt. Gen. James Jackson, Chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander, told the group. “They nominated you because you were outstanding employers. So, we want to show you what we do, why sometimes we have to utilize your employees, and what you are supporting.”

The group first met at the 22nd Air Force headquarters for short brief and a question and answer session with the general.

Jackson thanked the employers for the sacrifices they make to support Reservists around the country.

The Air Force Reserve has about 70,000 Citizen Airmen and 78 percent of those are part-time employees, Jackson commented.

“They work for you all,” Jackson added. “Without your support every single day, they couldn’t participate to defend the nation like they do in our Air Force. That’s why we are here today - to thank you.”

After the brief, the employers were ushered out to the flightline where they got to meet and talk with members of the 94th Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit.

Officials from Dobbins explained EOD technicians continue to conduct operations in a dynamic and ever-changing combat environment. EOD’s toll in combat has been significant. In the past decade, more than 70 of them have received one or more Purple Hearts actions performed on the battlefield.

Several of the employers had questions regarding the risks EOD members face during deployments and the protective measures they take, while performing such a hazardous job.

The group also explored a C-130 Hercules, climbed into the cockpit, and spoke with a pilot and a loadmaster who shared stories of their time in the aircraft.

A local Atlanta-area employer who lives along Dobbins’ flight path mentioned how he often sees the C-130 Hercules flying over his house and loved the sound of the four fans of freedom.

From the flightline, the group was transported to Lockheed-Martin, where they received a briefing on the plant’s history and a tour of the C-130J assembly line.

Chad Gibson, Lockheed-Martin communications and Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel for the 94th Airlift Wing, gave a tour of the maintenance shop at Lockheed-Martin and showed the group the assembly process for how the Hercules is built.

“The Hercules is the workhorse of the Air Force,” Gibson said. “It is the world’s most versatile aircraft.”

At the end of the tour, the employers were also given the chance to see a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, much to their elation.

After the Lockheed tour, the group was treated to a surf and turf lunch from the field kitchen at the Force Support Silver Flag site. The employers were given a brief rundown on the site and an explanation of what Services career field receive by the FS Silver Flag instructors.

Many of the employers were blown away by the quality and flavor of the food prepared by the Silver Flag team, releasing groans of pleasure as they bit into their steaks.

When the group finished their meal, the FS instructors showed the group around the site and various tents, explaining the purpose of each section, and what goes into the process of building and planning a base from scratch during deployments.

Once the Silver Flag tour was over, the employers were taken to the C-130 flight simulator where they experienced first-hand what it’s like to fly the Hercules.

The AFR Employer Recognition Day proved to be an eye-opening experience for many in the group.

“This has been a really good experience,” said Steve Boucher, employer for Humana in San Antonio, Texas. “It’s nice to know what our Citizen Airmen are going through. It’s very impressive.”