Air Force Reserve's friendly skies

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg
  • 932nd AW
SCOTT AFB, Ill. --  Air Force Reserve Command's 4th Air Force in California and the 932nd
Airlift Wing in Illinois co-hosted a joint civic leader tour recently.  

These tours are designed to help educate and inform the
local communities from March and Scott about what the Air Force Reserve is all about
and stress the importance of the mission.   The toughest part was not
having enough space for everyone that was interested in going.

The 932nd's mission is unique in that it primarily involves distinguished visitor flights.
Thirty-nine civic leaders, including mayors, primarily from Southern
California, the Chicago region and a few communities surrounding
Scott AFB flew to Chicago on one of the 932nd's C-9C DV aircraft. 

After meeting at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, the group flew to Cape
Canaveral, Fla., toured the 920th Rescue Wing at nearby Patrick
Air Force Base and attended a social at the hotel on Cocoa Beach. 

The next day, the group flew to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and toured the
Air Force Museum and a C-17 belonging to the 445th Airlift Wing.
Then it was back to Chicago where groups went their own ways.
"That trip was so much fun, and it was so nice to be able
to get to know all of you in a personal way," said
Southern California civic leader Cinnamon Cendejas.
"....there's a special something about all of you who
serve. You're hearts are different than most I guess.
Knowing what matters and going after it realizing what
you do DOES make a difference." 

In an editorial printed in the Naperville Sun newspaper
by Jennie Gates, a civic leader from the Naperville, Ill.,
chamber of commerce, she said, "We climbed on
helicopters; we witnessed a helicopter search and
rescue mission; we saw videos and heard stories about
the hundreds of people they airlifted in the aftermath of
Katrina. We stood in the belly of the enormous cargo
airplane that transports tanks and helicopters overseas;
and we talked to the servicemen and women about their
life in the military. 

"Not once did we hear a complaint,
not once did anyone ever hint of dissatisfaction with his
or her job. These individuals chose to serve their
country; they do it willingly with passion and
commitment." 

It was a great job by 932nd pilots, flight attendants and
maintainers to make it all look seamless and smooth!