433rd Airlift Wing Civic Leaders visit the Air Force Acadmey Chapel

Civic Leaders from the greater San Antonio, Texas area during a tour to Colorado Springs, Colo. pose for a photo in front of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colo., on March 21, 2014. The Chapel houses three worship areas for members of the Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist faiths. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

433rd Airlift Wing Civic Leaders learn about Total Force

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets Isaac Rydman and Matt Williams talk with Clay Richmond, President, Pizza Hut of San Antonio No. 11, Inc., during the 433rd Airlift Wing’s Civic Leader Tour to Colorado Springs, Colo. on March 21, 2014, about their duties as jump masters. The cadets teach other cadets how to parachute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

433rd Airlift Wing Civic Leaders learn about Total Force

Master Sgt. Sean Stephens, a 52nd Airlift Squadron loadmaster and Modular Aerial Firefighting System operator, sits at the controls of the MAFFS, and explains it use and capabilities on March 21, 2014, to the 433rd Airlift Wing’s Civic Leaders Tour at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The MAFFS is loaded aboard a C-130H Hercules to fight fires when it is called upon by the U.S. Forest Service. The 302nd Airlift Wing is the only Air Force Reserve unit with this mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

San Antonio Civic leaders wowed by Air Force Reserve, Active Duty and Academy

Staff Sgt. Kyle Parrish, a 52nd Airlift Squadron electrical environmental systems journeyman, chats with Darlene Gleinser, Senior Vice President, Business Banking with Comerica Bank, on March 21, 2014 during the 433rd Airlift Wing's Civic Leaders tour to Colorado Springs, Colo. The 17 greater San Antonio area civic leaders also visited the United States Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

S.A. Civic leaders wowed by Air Force Reserve, Active Duty and Academy

Clay Richmond, President, Pizza Hut of San Antonio No. 11, Inc., and Lisa O'Briant, manager of Administrative Services for Provenir, are given a tour by Master Sgt. Christopher Norris, an 18th Airlift Squadron boom operator instructor, aboard a KC-135 Statotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. on March 21, 2014. The 433rd Airlift Wing’s Civic Leaders were flown to Colorado Springs, Colo., by an Air Force Reserve crew assigned to the 931st Air Refueling Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

S.A. civic leaders wowed by Air Force Reserve, Active Duty and Academy

In the shadow of Pike's Peak, the 433rd Airlift Wing's Civic Leaders' Tour group gathers on the tarmac at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. as a C-130H Hercules from the 731st Airlift Squadron prepares to go on an Modular Aerial Firefighting System training mission on March 20, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino)

S.A. civic leaders experience Air Force Reserve contribution to national security and education

Published March 25, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND --

Approximately, 17 Greater San Antonio area civic leaders experienced the Air Force's Total Force concept in action as they traveled from here to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., onboard a KC-135 Stratotanker, courtesy of the 931st Air Refueling Group from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

While en-route to Colorado, the passengers received a firsthand look at the aerial refueling mission by sitting in the boom operator's sit, located in the back of the aircraft. The refueling boom gave leaders a bird's eye view of the Rocky Mountains.

During the first leg of the tour, civic leaders were welcome by Col. Kurt Jones, 302nd Operations Group commander, and given a 302nd Airlift Wing's mission brief and then tour of a C-130 Hercules static display aircraft upon arrival.

The 302nd AW is the only Air Force Reserve unit with the unique and special mission of aerial firefighting. The mission is performed in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, a 731st Airlift Squadron command pilot, briefed the group on how the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, which is installed on the C-130, operates and its aerial firefighting capabilities. Thompson has over 9,000 hours flying with the MAFFS.

"I had no idea about the firefighting with the C-130's," said Jeffrey Downing, group human resources director for Enterprise Holdings.

"The men and women work very hard. A lot of the Reservists have other (civilian) jobs, and when they do this, they are very professional and do their best. Civilian employers should support veterans because they have more leadership," he said.

The final stop for the first day of the trip was to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). While the Cheyenne Mountain installation was made famous in the 1980's movie "War Games," the actual headquarters of the organization now rests on Peterson AFB.

This is also the Headquarters for U.S. Northern Command, which conducts homeland defense, civil support and security cooperation to defend and secure the United States and its interests.

On the final day of the trip, civic leaders visited the United States Air Force Academy. Col. Richard Fogg, 10th Air Base Wing vice commander, briefed the group on the history, mission, academics, faculty composition and the nomination process of USAFA. The 10th ABW provides quality support to enhance the education and development of more than 4,000 future Air Force leaders.

"I am impressed with the education at the Air Force Academy," said Sylvia Rodriguez, director of community relations for Valero Energy Corporation.

The final stop of the tour was the Academy's Cadet Chapel. There, the civic leaders learned about the chapel's design which is rich in symbolism. It was completed in 1962 and houses three worship areas in one building, It serves as a place of worship for Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist faiths.

"They had someone who was familiar with the different religious traditions and norms of that particular religion," said Rev. Dr. Michael Jolla, senior pastor, West End Baptist Church of San Antonio. "That is what I would say is a once in a lifetime experience to see all four religions come together. I learned that the Air Force has made provisions for all people to experience their relationship with their god. The Academy has put a high priority, not just on the value of religion, but it is also shown in the chapel design."

"I really enjoyed my trip," Rodriguez said. "I learned that reservists play such a valued role in the military. They are held in high esteem by the active-duty folks. I just thought that was impressive and very important."