445th Airlift Wing's Employer Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Forty three employers of the 445th Airlift Wing reservists had the opportunity to spend the June 5 unit training assembly with their reservists during this year's Employer Appreciation Day.

Employers came from Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky, parts of Ohio and other areas to see exactly where their Air Force Reserve employees work and what they do on UTA weekends.

Employers started the morning with a buffet style breakfast catered by the Wright-Patterson Club. During the breakfast, Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th AW commander, gave a short history on the wing and thanked the employers for their support. Following Colonel Goeman, an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve briefing was given by Woody Stroud, Ohio ESGR. Breakfast and lunch were sponsored by the Ohio Committee for ESGR.

The reservists were able to meet up with the employers at their next stop where half of the group went to the Firing Arms Training Simulator (FATS) and the other half went next door to the Medical Education and Training facility (EMT). At the FATS the employers were divided into three different groups; one group simulated firing weapons during various scenarios; the second group participated in an obstacle course and toured a HUMVEE; and the third group looked at a weapons display.

At the EMT facility, the employers had the opportunity to run through medical scenarios set up by instructors from the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. Employers had the opportunity to splint, bandage and immobilize themselves. The group also sutured and placed IVs in mannequins. One employer volunteered to play "the victim" in a mock up vehicle accident.

The group toured a C-5 Galaxy aircraft before concluding the day with a visit to their reservist's work station after enjoying a catered lunch.

"This was a wonderful day, filled with many eye openers. It really made me appreciate what Master Sgt. Joseph Drake has going on and made me realize why he has chosen the Air force Reserve as his number one priority at this time," said Sheila Lochard, a nurse from the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center.