News>Civic leaders take 'priceless' tour to Charleston
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Civic leaders from the Minneapolis area travel with the 934th Airlift Wing on a tour hosted by the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, SC, to learn more about the Air Force. (U. S. Air Force Photo/Shannon McKay)
Tech. Sgt. Robert Pennington describes the parts of a C-17 engine to members of the 2012 Civic Leader tour from Minneapolis while at the Joint Base Charleston, SC. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Shannon McKay)
Lt. Col. Dave McDonald tells stories about flying in a C-17 to members of the 2012 Civic Leader tour. Communities leaders from the Minneapolis area and the 934th Airlift Wing traveled to the Joint Base Charleston, SC, for the two day tour hosted by the 315th Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Shannon McKay)
Columbia Heights' Mayor, Gary Peterson and Melodie Neff live up the evening in historic downtown Charleston after a day of touring the Joint Base Charleston, SC. Community members from the Minneapolis area and the 934th Airlift Wing were hosted by the 315th Airlift Wing for a Civic Leader tour, to provide individuals an opportunity to learn more about the Air Force. (U. S. Air Force Photo/Shannon McKay)
Senior Airman Aaron Clark demonstrates one of the explosive ordnance disposal robots to the members of the 2012 Civic Leader tour. Communities leaders from the Minneapolis area and the 934th Airlift Wing traveled to the Joint Base Charleston, SC, for the two day tour hosted by the 315th Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Shannon McKay)
Suzanne Asher, who works with Veterans in the Arts, gets a view from the flight deck and a description of operations from Capt. Matt Crawford enroute back to Minneapolis from Joint Base Charleston, SC. Civic leaders from the Minneapolis area traveled with the 934th Airlift Wing and were hosted by the 315th Airlift Wing in Charleston during a two day tour to learn more about the Air Force. (U. S. Air Force Photo/Shannon McKay)
by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hickey
934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
9/7/2012 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The 934th Airlift Wing conducted a two-day tour for 20 Minnesota and Wisconsin civic leaders to Joint Base-Charleston, S.C., Sep. 5-6.
The group was accompanied by Col. Darrell G. Young, 934th Airlift Wing commander, and his staff. The group was greeted in Charleston by Col. James Fontanella, 315th Airlift Wing commander, key leaders and public affairs members from the 315th AW.
Day one of the tour included a visit to the Air Education and Training Command's 373d Field Training Detachment. Several Airmen trainers from the detachment briefed the civic leaders on each major system of the C-17 Globemaster III, and explained how new Airmen out of basic training and seasoned non-commissioned officers are trained to repair and maintain the aircraft. The group then toured a static display C-17 Globemaster III on the flightline.
Lt. Col. Dave McDonald, a C-17 pilot with the 315th AW, gave the civic leaders an historical overview of the McDonnell Douglas designed C-17 aircraft, including its first major mission assignment to Bosnia, its tactical and strategic airlift capabilities, as well as its role in humanitarian missions.
Day two of the tour included equipment demonstrations by Airmen from the 628th Civil Engineering Squadron/Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, including a 90 lb. bomb suit and remotely controlled robots. The Airmen at the 437th Operations Support Squadron/ Aircrew Flight Equipment provided demonstrations on how to properly deploy a parachute, use night vision goggles, and inflate emergency flotation rafts, including a floating bassinette for babies.
Christopher Dwyer, the Executive Chef at the Mendakota Country Club in Minneapolis, Minn., was particularly impressed with the night vision goggles and flotation devices.
"I'm in awe," he said. "You see this kind of stuff on The Avengers or Captain America."
Darcy Douglas, the Director of Strategy for the Twin Cities Business Peer Network, explained that the tour was essential in exposing civilians with no-military experience to the Air Force way of life.
"It's important for those of us who have no military background to know what the military brings to our community and how we can support them," she said.
Chris Dwyer described the tour as immeasurable in its ability to bring awareness to community leaders. "It's a priceless tour," he said.
At the conclusion of the tour, Brian Dahl, a sales manager with NOVA Communications in Minneapolis, Minn., stated he was most impressed with the can-do attitude of the Airmen he met at each wing. "It's clear everyone we've met has a passion for what they do," he said. "Seeing that kind of commitment is very inspiring to me. It's rare."
The Civic Leader Tour is an annual event organized by the 934 AW Public Affairs office. For more information on upcoming events, please contact the 934 AW/PA office at DSN 783-1217. You may also visit the unit's website or Facebook page.
