NJ employers get close look at AF Reserve mission

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ -- Employers watch as Reserve honor guards perform a flag folding ceremony during the 514th Air Mobility Wing's annual Employer Appreciation Day here. The employers also participated in a simulated deployment process that included a flight on a KC-10 Extender or C-17 Globemaster III. (U.S. Air Force photo/SrA. William P. O'Neil III)

NJ employers get close look at AF Resrve mission

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ -- Employers of 514th Air Mobility Wing members pose in front of a KC-10 Extender after their flight during the annual Employer Appreciation Day here. More than 100 employers spent the day learning about the military role of their citizen airmen employee. (U.S. Air Force photo/SrA. William P. O'Neil III)

NJ employers get close look at AF Reserve mission

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ -- Employers of 514th Air Mobility Wing members pose in front of a C-17 Globemaster III after their flight during the annual Employer Appreciation Day here. More than 100 employers spent the day learning about the military role of their citizen airmen employee. (U.S. Air Force photo/ SrA. William P. O'Neil III)

Employers get close look at AF Reserve mission

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Employers of 514th Air Mobility Wing members pose in front of a KC-10 Extender after their flight during the annual Employer Appreciation Day here. More than 100 employers spent the day learning about the military role of their citizen airmen employee. (U.S. Air Force photo/SrA. William P. O'Neil III)

NJ employers get close look at AF Reserve mission

NJ employers get once-in-a-lifetime experience

Published Nov. 12, 2008
By Senior Airman William P. O'Neil III
514th Air Mobility Wing

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- "Excellent! You folks do a great job. Your message is loud and clear and people need to hear it!"

"All good! Thanks for an amazing experience!"

"Amazing! Really wonderful and exciting!"

These are a few of many comments made by 110 employers of the 514th Air Mobility Wing members who participated in the annual Employer Appreciation Day held recently. The event started at the passenger terminal where the employers disembarked shuttle buses to experience a scaled-back set-up of the deployment process that military members undergo when they deploy overseas.

The employers began by entering a mobility processing line where they checked in, received dog tags, mock shot records and various brochures and handouts. The employers were then welcomed by wing leaders. Following the formal greetings the employers observed a series of deployment briefings and a chemical warfare gear demonstration, otherwise known as a mission oriented protective posture or MOPP level.

After receiving boxed lunches, they boarded buses to take them to their designated KC-10 Extender or C-17 Globemaster III flight. During the ensuing two and a half-hour mission, the employers took turns from the flight deck and air refueling operator area observing the one C-17 and three KC-10s perform the in-air refueling process.

"I've never realized planes that big can fly that close to each other," said a smiling Paul Jones, an employer from Reading Alloys, as he climbed up the ladder after watching the refueling from the back of a KC-10.

After the flights, the employers gathered for group photos inside an aircraft hangar and had the opportunity to view static displays of the aircraft and displays from various units in the wing.

Towards the conclusion of the day's event, members of the Reserve honor guard performed a flag folding demonstration giving the guests a chance to see a formal military ceremony.

Surveys taken immediately following the event indicates everyone left knowing much more about the Air Fore Reserve mission than when they arrived.

Mr. Jones, among many, left saying, "Thank you for the day and for all you do for us!"