USAA visitors learn about 433rd "Alamo Wing's" flying, training, maintenance missions

Second Lt. Mike Blakley, a C-5 Galaxy pilot assigned to the 433rd Operations Group's 68th Airlift Squadron, explains the C-5's complex and unique landing-gear mechanism to visitors from USAA's Mortgage Division. The 68th AS is one of two flying squadrons assigned to the 433 OG at the 433rd Airlift Wing, a C-5 equipped, Air Force Reserve unit located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Elsa Martinez)

USAA visitors learn about 433rd "Alamo Wing's" flying, training, maintenance missions

Master Sgt. Tony Wilks, deputy superintendent of the 433rd Operations Groups' 733rd Training Squadron, explains the various scenarios utilized by the 733 TRS's C-5A Galaxy simulator to visitors from insurance giant USAA's Mortgage Division. The 733 rd TRS is a formal C-5 training unit that trains all C-5 aircrews and students and is located at the 433rd Airlift Wing, a C-5 equipped, Air Force Reserve unit located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. USAA employees routinely visit the "Alamo Wing" and other local military installations to learn about their diverse missions so that they may better serve their customers, most of whom are either presently serving in or are retired from the military services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Elsa Martinez)

USAA guests learn 433rd "Alamo Wing's" flying, training, maintenance missions

Master Sgt. Joe Cavazos III, shop chief for the 433rd AW Survival Shop, demonstrates the instant inflation of a 25-man life raft, one of several standard survival equipment items carried at all times by the C-5A Galaxy. Demonstration was done for visiting guests from insurance giant USAA's Mortgage Division, who visited the shop and others on Feb. 7, 2013. The shop is assigned to the 433rd Operations Support Squadron, one of four squadrons that comprise the 433rd Operations Group at the 433rd Airlift Wing, (U.S. Air Force photo by Elsa Martinez)

USAA guests learn about 433rd "Alamo Wing" flying, training, maintenance missions

Staff Sgt. Steve Morris, a metals technician with the 433rd Airlift Wing's Metals Technology Shop, demonstrates the shop's computer numerical control mill center, which manufactures components for the C-5A Galaxy that have long since become unavailable. Demonstration was done for visitors from insurance giant USAA, who visited the M-TECH shop and other sites to learn about the missions performed by the 433rd Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Elsa Martinez)

USAA guests learn about 433rd "Alamo Wing's" flying, training, maintenance missions

Published Feb. 8, 2013
By Elsa Martinez
433 AW

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Employees from local insurance giant USAA's Mortgage Division visited the 433rd Airlift Wing on Feb. 7, 2013 to learn more about the "Alamo Wing's" flying, training and maintenance missions.

Following a short greeting and wing mission briefing by 433rd AW commander, Col. Jeffrey Pennington, guests traveled to the flight line where guests walked through the massive C-5A Galaxy. Afterward, guests saw the broad spectrum of the wing's diverse missions.

After visiting the C-5 Formal Training Unit, the C-5 schoolhouse where all C-5 aircrews are trained, they walked next door to learn about the 433rd AW Survival, Metals Technology, and Structural Repair shops.

Guests were as enlightened as they were entertained by the half-day's experience, but all their visits had one thing in common, according to Genevieve Harral, USAA Financial Foundations manager.

"We've heard everyone here say how much they love their jobs," she remarked.