Honorary commanders brave cold weather to learn support mission Published Jan. 8, 2017 By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Treviño 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland, Texas -- Despite weather temperatures in the low 20s, five members from the 433rd Airlift Wing Honorary Commanders program toured 433rd Mission Support Group units here, Jan. 7. The 433rd MSG provides services and support to the more than 2,500 members of the 433rd Airlift Wing as well as to an additional 1,100 personnel assigned to 14 units under the 960th Cyber Operations Group. The weather was the coldest of the new year in San Antonio so far; however, Col. David Enfield, 433rd MSG commander, was impressed with how excited the Honorary Commanders were to visit the Alamo Wing members. “They (the Honorary Commanders) can help Airmen be better ambassadors for the Air Force Reserves and learn what we do for our country and what the Reservists do for our unit,” he said. “It is important to show them why we are here and what our role is (in national defense),” Enfield said. The Honorary Commanders visited with logistics support, aerial port, security forces, firefighters and explosive ordnance disposal Airmen throughout the chilly morning while handling an array of equipment used in Air Force specialties. Master Sgt. Adam Pileggi, an explosive ordnance technician with the 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron, believes that tours like this gives local civic leaders a better understanding of the variety of skills Traditional Reservists have developed. “Although the temperature along with the breeze was less than desirable, the honorary commanders appeared excited to learn about the EOD career field, and its mission at JBSA-Lackland,” he said. “It is imperative that we offer the public these type of outreach events to show them the importance of what each career field can and do provide to the base and its host city.” Kelly Lerch, group talent acquisition manager for Enterprise Holdings, enjoyed the learning aspect of the tour. “It was amazing,” she said. “I like to learn about what you guys (Airmen) do in the civilian world and get a better understanding of how we can better support them as an employer.” I like learning about learning about the different areas of what Reservists do in the Air Force careers.” The Honorary Commanders Program was established to encourage an exchange of ideas, share best practices, and nurture friendship between key members of the local civilian population and the Joint Base San Antonio military community. The program provides an exclusive opportunity for San Antonio area civic leaders to shadow the 433rd AW, group and squadron commanders. “As military members we tend to forget that the public may not always be aware of the diversity behind the uniform. These events also provide a great platform for the recruiting of our future Airmen,” Pileggi said. “Even though it was cold, I was glad they came out and braved the cold,” Enfield said. “I think it was well worth both of our times,” he said. For more information about the Honorary Commander's program, contact the 433rd AW Public Affairs office at 925-5194.