Capt. George Bates, assistant officer in charge for Operation Coal Country in Clay County, Kentucky, is assigned to the 514th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, 514th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Bates was personally recognized for his role in OCC and his six years active and 19 years reserve service in the U.S. Air Force by Vice President Mike Pence at a press event held at East Kentucky University, Manchester campus in Kentucky. Pence also recognized Bates for his three deployments to the Middle East at the event. Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) is a collaborative program that leverages military contributions and community resources to multiply value and cost savings for participants.