Alabama civic leader tour deploys to sunshine state

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean and Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb
  • 927th ARW/908th Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 908th Airlift Wing recently hosted 29 local elected officials and business people on a Civic Leader Tour to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

The civic leaders arrived at Maxwell early on the 23rd. In a well-oiled process, they dropped off their bags, were checked in and provided with a welcome kit and a continental breakfast. Wing Commander Col. Adam Willis welcomed the group and gave them a wing mission briefing.  Chief Master Sgt. James Rickels then gave the passenger safety briefing, followed by passenger services. Then the group boarded the aircraft and departed for MacDill.

Upon arrival at MacDill, the group was welcomed and briefed by Col. Randal Bright, commander of the 927th Air Refueling Wing. Afterwards, the civics toured the 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's fabrication shop.

"A lot of these vendors [of KC-135 parts] have gone onto other projects, they no longer make these parts," said Master Sgt. Terry Willis, 927th AMXS fabrication flight chief. "Often we find we have to manufacture parts that used to be available through the supply system."

Now knowing how the parts are fabricated, the next stop was out to a KC-135 Stratotanker, where the civics were able to climb aboard for a firsthand look and conversation with aircrew members.

"Interesting how our Reserve interacts with the active-duty military, it's pretty phenomenal," said Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell. "I see it as getting our biggest bang for the buck, taking our everyday workingman and integrating them into our active-duty force and being able to immediately protect our homeland."

The civics then joined and mingled with local Tampa area businessmen and opinion formers at a reception hosted by the Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to 'wheels up' the next day, the civics received a full morning of informative briefings from both U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command, both located on MacDill.

'It's been wonderful," Willis said. "Col. Bright and his team welcomed us wonderfully here to MacDill Air Force Base. We have had a pleasurable stay, and I look forward to hosting him and his civic leaders in the future."