Airmen become Olympic spectators during routine training mission

  • Published
  • By Maj. Karen Hennigan
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing legal office
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Anything seems possible when you are a reservist.

More than a dozen members of the 514th Air Mobility Wing learned that and more during a recent training mission to Prestwick, Scotland.

The lucky Airmen found themselves at Hampden Park, a sports stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, sitting front row as Olympic history was made by the U.S. women's soccer team in their quest for the gold.

Team USA shut Colombia out 3-0 in what proved to be one of the most physical soccer games of the Olympics. It was so physical that it ended in a black-eye for team captain Abby Wambach.

Among the reserve revelers were crewmembers from the 76th Air Refueling Squadron, the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and several first-term Airmen assigned to the 514th Force Support Squadron. The first-termers were chosen by wing leadership to observe the Prestwick training mission.

"My goal was to give the Airmen a chance to interact with operators in the field and learn about our wing and our aircraft in an operational setting," said Col. Michael Underkofler, 514th Air Mobility Wing commander. "I wanted them to see how exciting life as a reservist can be."

Judging by the reaction of the participating Airmen, the mission was a great success. The trip marked the first time most of the Airmen traveled overseas and the first time any of them traveled on a military aircraft.

"It is amazing how a group of people of all ranks work together to make the aircraft run," said Airman 1st Class Tabitha Goldhammer, 514th Force Support Squadron, "It is awesome to think there are missions everywhere in the world, and without teamwork, it wouldn't come together as well as it does."

And it wasn't just the first-term Airmen who said the trip was special.

"It is not often that we get to put faces to the names of our fellow reservists who we deal with on a daily basis, mostly by phone," said Master Sgt. Joe Jones, 76th Air Refueling Squadron.

"It gave me more of an appreciation and a better understanding of what they do."

Senior Airman Ryan Hall of the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron called the trip one of the best experiences of his life.

"I loved being there to support Team USA during an Olympic event," he said.

What began as a standard training mission, resulted in the opportunity of a lifetime proving that anything is possible when you serve in the Air Force Reserve.