Leadership Tampa gets educated; On MacDill AFB

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing/Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "Absolutely incredible, I had no idea what went on behind the gates, you guys are amazing, each and every one of you" said Rafael Hernandez, Leadership Tampa Class of 2015 member.

This was just one of the sentiments that were expressed throughout the day. Hernandez and his fellow 60 plus classmen were part of an educational tour of MacDill Air Force Base, April 15.

Leadership Tampa is an organization dedicated to educating and growing ambassadors through a year-long exposure to Tampa's education, arts, transportation, tourism and government sectors. Members of Leadership Tampa represent the City of Tampa, the University of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Aquarium, Tampa General Hospital and dozens of other organizations.

Upon arrival to MacDill AFB, the guests were welcomed by Capt. Brian Craft, Director of Inspection, 927th Air Refueling Wing and former Tampa Leadership member.

"We want you to go home at the end of the day and watch the news and look at it with a little different perspective than you might have now" said Craft. "Our first speaker is going to set the stage and give us some insight on the current world situation, and give you some background on what's happening a long ways from here."

Throughout the day the visitors received briefs from numerous entities on MacDill such as, the United States Central Command, the United States Special Operations Command, the 927 ARW and the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

The day also included some hands on time, while onboard a KC-135, guest were educated by the aircrew on all that is involved in an air-to-air refueling mission. Saving the best hands on display to last, the visitors spent the last hour of the day with special operations operators, where they were able to examine the specialized weaponry and equipment used by the USSOCOM.

"Very eye-opening, I live just outside the gates and always see the jets flying above," said Lauren Rasys, Leadership Tampa member.  "There is so much more to MacDill than just the jets, very educational. "