Command chief reminds Alamo Wing Airmen

Chief Master Sgt. Emil Garza, 433rd Airlift Wing command chief master sergeant, holds his hand towards his chest as he provides some words of encouragement and appreciation for Airmen from the 74th Aerial Port Squadron awaiting their flight call July 10, 2011, at the passenger terminal at the Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. More than 40 reservists from 74 APS flew to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., to take part in a six-day deployment readiness training exercise. The DRT at Dobbins is one of several events Alamo Wing Airmen are taking part in order to better prepare for the Operational Readiness Exercise the 433rd Airlift Wing is scheduled to go through in January 2012. Chief Garza encouraged the Airmen to learn as much as possible at the DRT because what they learn may prove beneficial during an actual deployment overseas. Chief Garza went further by reminding the Airmen that less than one percent of the U.S. population has served in the military and that being part of such a rare group of people should be considered both a source of pride and motivation, especially those who've deployed overseas. "I don't mean to sound cliché, but remember when people talk about this time in our country’s history you will be able to proudly say, I answered my nation’s call. I did my part. I was there,” Chief Garza said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airmen Luis Loza Gutierrez)