Community Relations Programs
The objective of the community relations program is to increase public awareness and understanding of the Air Force and the 433rd Airlift Wing's mission. We support surrounding communities in all aspects, ranging from tour requests, the speaker's bureau or flyovers. Our goal is to foster positive relations with the surrounding communities. Participation in community events by Air Force people is desirable and highly encouraged. You can contact the Community Relations division at (210) 925-0942.
**The 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is proud to offer tours to the public when the mission permits on TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS ONLY.
ATTENTION: DUE TO SEVERE SUMMER TEMPERATURES, NO TOURS WILL BE GIVEN DURING THE MONTHS OF JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2024.
Tours are designed for ages 14 and up and are limited to 40 people per tour. Wing tours with numbers over 15 must arrive by BUS or VAN, 1 (ONE) VEHICLE PER TOUR. No commercial vehicles are allowed on the flight line. Please e-mail the completed form to 433AWPA@us.af.mil AND minnie.jones.2@us.af.mil, respectively, with at least a 30-day lead time.
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Base Tours
The Alamo Wing is an exciting part of your community and an excellent resource and educational tool for groups interested in aviation or a career in the U.S. Air Force. Base tours are conducted on Thursdays for groups of 20-40 people, on a first come, first-served basis during the months of April through October. Priority scheduling is given to Junior ROTC students and other youth groups serving high-school-age students. Civic and business organizations or senior citizen groups are also welcome. Elementary or middle-school-age groups are encouraged to visit the Lackland Air Museum. The tour schedule fills up quickly, so contact Community Relations early. It could take up to 30 days from when it receives the request to when it will have the tour set up. All requests are accommodated based on the operational schedule of the 433rd Airlift Wing. To begin the process of setting up a base tour, click here and fill out the Base Tour Request Form. E-mail or fax requests to 433awpa@us.af.mil or (210) 925-0317.
The Speaker's Bureau
The Speaker's Bureau gives Air Force people the chance to interact directly with its neighbors in the community, professional organizations, schools, businesses and civic organizations. Our speakers consist of personnel from a wide-array of job descriptions and include personnel from the rank of Airman First Class to Colonel. Most organizations request speakers to talk about the C-5M Super Galaxy, the 433rd Airlift Wing's mission, the Air Force Reserve's mission, specific job descriptions or personal experiences in the Air Force. Your organization may request someone to speak on those topics listed above or anything else you feel appropriate. We will try to match up a speaker to your specific request. If you would like to schedule a speaker for one of your organization's gatherings, click here. Email or fax the completed form to 433awpa@us.af.mil or (210) 925-0317. Please send requests at least one month prior to your event.
Aerial Event Requests
Community Relations helps facilitate flyover and static display requests that the 433rd Airlift Wing performs in the community; however, the process does not start with this office. To start a request, you must submit a DD Form 2535 online, which can be found at www.airshows.pa.hq.af.mil, and receive approval from the Air Force Aerial Events office at the Pentagon. The 433rd Airlift Wing can only consider your request after you have approval from the Pentagon. Flyovers are considered for aviation-related and patriotic observances held in conjunction with Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Day, or Veterans Day (event must be within seven days of the actual holiday dates to be considered). There are some exceptions to policies; those not meeting the criteria can possibly be approved one-time only as an Exception-to-Policy event, provided there is sufficient rationale for support. The request process takes approximately 60 days to complete.
Honorary Commanders Program
The Honorary Commanders Program provides the 433rd Airlift Wing commander a valuable community outreach opportunity. The program expands the wing's ability to foster relationships between local civic and business leaders and base personnel. It also serves as an excellent vehicle for promoting a better understanding of the Air Force Reserve Command, the 433rd Airlift Wing and its training mission. The 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs office administers this program for the wing commander. A community or corporate leader is assigned to each of the 433rd Airlift Wing's 24 senior leaders. New Honorary Commanders are inducted bi-annually in a reception and ceremony. For more information on the program, click here.
The Alamo Wing Blue Jacket Squadron
The Alamo Wing Blue Jacket Squadron is the community support and advocacy group for the 433rd Airlift Wing. Blue Jacket members are business people, elected officials, military retirees and a diverse group of citizens who support the wing and its men and women. The BJS Board of Directors consists of 40 prominent business, civic and government leaders from the greater San Antonio community.
Pilot for a Day Program
The 433rd Airlift Wing in partnership with the Children's Hospital of San Antonio sponsors the Pilot for a Day program. The goal of the program is to provide children, who have serious or chronic conditions, and their families the opportunity to be a guest of the 433rd AW for a day. The program strives to give children a special day as an honorary pilot and a break from the challenges they face. Children are selected for the program by the Children's Hospital of San Antonio. For many children with severe, but not "terminal" illnesses, the Pilot for a Day Program is a significant milestone in their recovery.
The day begins with a brief "swearing in" ceremony at the host squadron, making the child an honorary pilot for the day. A host pilot accompanies the child throughout the day, answering questions and ensuring the child and their family have a memorable experience while visiting the "Alamo Wing." The host pilot also provides a tour of several squadrons within the wing, which may include trying on flight equipment and getting an up-close look at the C-5M.