Alamo Wing impresses employers

Caryl Hill and Robert Siler of the Texas Committee of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve witness Col. Jeffery T. Pennington, 433rd Airlift Wing commander, sign a document in support of the ESGR. Over 40 employers attended the 19th annual Employers' Day sponsored by the Alamo Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas on Dec. 8, 2012. (Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

Alamo Wing Port Dawg Reservists demonstrate skills for civilian employers

Airman 1st Class Adam Rehfeld, 26th Aerial Port Squadron, prepares to tie down a vehicle on board a C-5A Galaxy during a upload demonstration civilian employers.The 433rd Airlift Wing held its 19th Annual Employers' Day at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas on Dec. 8, 2012. (Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

Alamo Wing impresses employers during visit

Published Dec. 9, 2012
By Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino
433 AW

- JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- -- The 433rd Airlift Wing hosted more than 40 employers at the 19th Annual Employer Day Dec. 8. The goal was to showcase skills Air Force Reservists bring to their civilian jobs.

The bosses arrived to JBSA-Lackland in darkness to a humid, foggy airfield. The early start signifies the reality of showing up for weekend drill after a five day work week.

After a quick continental breakfast at the 433rd AW Headquarters, the group met for a briefing from Col. Jeffery T. Pennington, 433rd AW commander. Pennington told the employers about the world-wide mission capabilities, financial impact on the local community and resources the Alamo Wing utilizes in today's Air Force.

The highlight of the day was an orientation flight on a C-5A Galaxy. While in the air, employers got a rare glimpse few civilians ever see when they observed the Alamo Wing aircraft being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

Michael Geraci, a counselor at Rudder Middle School in San Antonio, enjoyed his Employer Day experience. "It was a once in lifetime opportunity to go in the cockpit and see the boom coming down. If an employer gets the opportunity, they need to jump on it."

"To actually see the aerial refueling live, that is something that you only get to see in movies, that was amazing," said Stephanie Gresham, a Saint Philips College instructor in San Antonio. "That is what made the whole experience worth it."

The opportunity for civilian employers of Air Force Reservists to see what their employee does when they are away from their regular employment is just one way for them to see how important the Reserve duties their employee performs are mission essential to the nation.