Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas -- The Alamo Wing welcomed 23 civic leaders from the surrounding communities of Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, her on March 23, 2017.
The tour began with mission briefs by Col. Thomas K. Smith, Jr., 433rd Airlift Wing commander, and Col. Michael Reid, 149th Fighter Wing vice commander, at the 433rd AW's auditorium.
The two-day event started with a tour of the C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft; a walk through of the 733rd Training Squadron, reception with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, 433rd Maintenance Group's engine and structural shops. The visit also included a visit to Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston where the civic leaders visited the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum; The Center for the Intrepid; and a tour of the U.S. Army Combat Medic Training.
Tania Bayne, Shanti Yoga and Counseling owner, thought the tour was eye-opening and was impressed with the new C-5M conversion.
"One word comes to mind is efficiency, continually working to improve the fuel consumption and cost effectiveness of the C-5M, that's very impressive."
Cindy Lamb, Pickering client relations manager, enjoyed observing the different technical jobs within the Alamo Wing.
"One of my favorite parts of this visit has the been touring the engine and structural shops, I find it interesting at how all the different parts work together."
Maj. Stephen Harper, Department of Combat Medic Training chairman, spoke to the civic leaders about the importance of the combat medic training and how it is directly related to the U.S. Army's success.
"With our combat medics, everything we do is designed to give them the skills to save lives on the battlefield, whether that's technology, equipment, training, or competency, everything we give them is designed to bring home Americas sons and daughters," he said to the civic leaders.
Col. Michael Manion, 403rd Wing commander, acknowledged the importance of these types of tours to the civic leaders back home.
"The goal is be bring our civic leaders out from the Biloxi area and have them get a better understanding of what the military does, and what the Reserve Citizen Airman do and their active component." said Manion. "This way they have a better understanding and they can take it to our community because it's the community involvement that really makes a difference."