Employers, Civic Leaders Take To The Skies for Orientation Flight

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "We need your help ..." said Col. Dave Pavey as he stood in front of the assembled group of men and women. Pavey commands the 927th Air Refueling Wing, a reserve unit with aircraft that can project combat power to any corner of the globe in hours. He was not preparing Airmen for a mission. In front of him sat retirees, software designers, insurance salesmen and a former Miss America.

"We need your help to use the Guard and Reserve effectively," Pavey continued. Although the people in front of him wouldn't be participating in a combat mission, they did have reservists from the 927th ARW working for many of them. It is their support which allows those reservists to get the aircraft up in the air and into combat.

The employer's day started early with briefings from both the wing commander and representatives from Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an organization that advocates for the rights of Reservists and their civilian employers, followed by a refueling mission on a KC-135 Stratotanker.

"We at the ESGR try to let folks see the mission of those who deploy," said Greg Holder, a judge with the Hillsborough County, Fla. courts. Holder spent more than 15 years as a reserve officer, so he understands the stresses a reservist faces between juggling their civilian and military roles. "These troops are giving so much to this nation; we're glad you employers could come here and see that."

Once the civilians received their safety briefs, they boarded the Stratotanker and took off. While they were speeding toward their rendezvous with several fighter jets, they received demonstrations on the Aeromedical Evacuation Mission the wing performs. This mission ensures wounded troops can make it quickly and safely from the front lines to state-of-the-art hospitals. When the pilots received word that the F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons were approaching, the excitement began to build in the aircraft as the civilians prepared for the experience of a lifetime.

"You hear about the process and wonder how it works," said John Del Missier, a director of client management with United Health. Del Missier regularly shows his support for the military by accommodating a reservist that serves with the 927th ARW and works for him during the week. "Seeing those planes refueling has been a lifelong dream of mine."

The employers took turns crawling into the back of the plane where the boom operator lay, directing the proboscis into the fighter jets that would pass energy-giving fuel. A window allowed them to see the fighters approach from below the aircraft, hook up for fuel, and then break away.

"Just experiencing two planes in sync with such a small opportunity to get the process right was pretty cool. Doing it with 40 year-old technology is impressive," Del Missier said. "This experience made me thankful our military is here and makes me want to help our reservists more."

When they touched back down on MacDill AFB, the civilians were escorted to the base golf course where they enjoyed a lunch with the reservists whom they support. Pavey gave closing remarks before the employers left to see the work stations of their employees.

"Thank you for coming here, and for being interested in us. These are your Airmen, and this is your Air Force."