Orlando, Fla. --
Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, traveled to Orlando, Florida to share stories and to praise the accomplishments of Reserve Citizen Airmen with the attendees of the 49th Air Mobility Command and Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium, held Oct. 26 through Oct. 29.
“This afternoon, I would like to share some of the amazing things our Airmen have accomplished since last year’s ATA, [Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium]” said Miller. “Reserve Citizen Airmen comprised over 35 percent of the mobility and tanker force across the Air Force. We helped ensure Global Reach in over 80 different countries, flying over 4,000 missions, 7,000 sorties, and 32,000 flight hours.”
The symposium gathered total-force Airmen and civilians, community leaders, and industry experts to promote education, understanding, and professional development in the mobility air force's mission. The 2017 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium offered more than 36 seminars, and a distinguished list of attendees and key note speakers such as, the Honorable Heather Wilson, Secretary of the Air Force, Gen. David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and Gen. Darren McDew, commander of U.S. Transportation Command.
Within the last year, Reserve Citizen Airmen delivered more than 36,000 passengers and 34,000 tons of cargo around the world. Additionally, they flew more than 15,000 air-to-air refueling missions, supporting 38,500 receivers, and offloaded more than 370 million pounds of fuel. Along with supporting continued world contingencies, Reserve Citizen Airmen also responded to the numerous natural disasters that impacted the United States and U.S Territories.
“The forces of Mother Nature cannot deter the Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing [Patrick Air Force Base, Florida], as they were integral to the response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria,” said Miller. The 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida was called into action when one of the largest natural disasters in United States history, Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, devastated Texas in a matter of days back in August. 90 Reserve Citizen Airmen, two HC-130N King aerial refueling aircraft, and three HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters deployed to Texas and began flying rescue missions 24 hours after impact. Within four days, the HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopters and Guardian Angel teams rescued over 200 civilians.”
This was just one of the many stories Miller shared with her audience. She closed her speech by revealing a painting of a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System equipped C-130H Hercules aircraft. Miller invited to the stage Gen. Carlton Everhart II, commander of Air Mobility Command, Col. James Devere, commander of the 302nd Airlift Wing and the artist, Senior Master Sgt. Darby Perrin, who is a boom operator with the 507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air force Base, Oklahoma. The painting is entitled “Earth, Blood and Fire,” which is the latest artwork in the 'Inspire with Heritage' campaign.