MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- While the Air Force is typically known for its pilots flying fighter jets through the sky over war zones,” on December 8, 2018 employers of 927th Air Refueling Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen got to experience firsthand the unforgettable experience of flying in a KC-135 Stratotanker and complete inflight air-to-air refueling with a C-17 Globemaster III.
These employers were participants in a Florida Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve ‘Boss Lift’ coordinated with the 927th ARW.
"The purpose of the Boss Lift Program is to provide employers and supervisors the opportunity to better understand what their employees do when they are away from their civilian occupation for military duty," said James Dicks, a ESGR Florida State Chairman, who helped support the Boss Lift. "These bosses were nominated so that they could see firsthand some of the things these Reserve Citizen Airmen do.”
“Employers of Airmen from this wing, are going to get to go up on a flight and lie back in the boom pod, and see how that mission works,” said Col. Douglas Stouffer, commander, 927th Air Refueling Wing. “It is important to educate civilian employers on our mission because when they come to work for me, it can hurt that company in some sense.”
That first-hand knowledge that employers learn in a Boss Lift is why Staff Sgt. Kyle Bowman nominated his supervisor, Danny Taylor, Bowman’s supervisor, to attend. Bowman works in his civilian career for the United States Postal Service.
“It was great for him to come out and see the mission of the 927th to better understand what we do,” said Bowman.
Employers began the day with a briefing from wing leadership and ESGR followed by a ride on a KC-135 Stratotanker when they witnessed air-to-air refueling.
“When Kyle first told me about this, I was all-in for this great opportunity,” said Taylor. “It was fun getting in the boom pod and watching what actually happens where the rubber meets the road.”
“Many employers are willing to allow and support those reservists who serve, so when I talk to those in the room who employ people in my wing I make sure to thank them for that. Without that sacrifice of losing that manpower, the 927th couldn’t complete our mission, said Stouffer.”