445th Airlift Wing hosts reservists' employers

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Erica Donahoe
  • 445th Airlift Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  As civilian employers rolled through the gates at O-Dark Thirty, Sept. 9, they had the first glimpse of what their employees experience every Unit Training Assembly weekend; waking early on a Saturday to go to work while their families are home, warm in bed. However, met with coffee and bagels and welcomed by Brig. Gen. Bruce Davis, 445 Airlift Wing Commander, they received the royal treatment compared to a typical reserve morning. 

Shortly thereafter, they were off on the bus to tour the bivouac exercise and gain some first-hand insight into how reservists train and prepare to go to war. "The field exercise was really informative. I got to see what my reservists do as civil engineers," said Gregory Merrill, who works for Montgomery County Sanitary and employs two reservists during the week. "I also learned a lot more about the 445th itself," he said.
 
Met by fictitious protesters at the gate, the employers rushed to snap photographs of the simulated experience. "The exercise was really the best part, there were so many things I was enlightened on," said James Whitworth, a member of the Miami Fire Township and Emergency Medical Service.
 
Not only did employers learn about what their reservists do, some gained a better understanding of friends and family as well. "My son is a military policeman. Getting a chance to see what the security force troops do really gave me a better understand of what my son does as well," Merrill said.
 
The excitement continued as the group toured the bivouac, enduring a ground attack to the base and viewing troops in their chemical warfare gear. Perhaps the highlight of the bivouac tour was the chance to taste a meal-ready-to-eat. As John Killacky of Bartha Audio Visual put it, "You can tell our tax dollars are hard at work out here."
 
The groups continued on to take photos in front of a C-5 Galaxy. "Walking underneath and seeing how large and magnificent these things are--it's just amazing," Killacky said. Terry Taylor from the Washington Township Golf Course agreed, "Looking at the planes is really fascinating."
 
But looking at the plane wasn't the last stop of the day. The employers were bused across the ramp to board tail number 448 for an actual flight on a C-5. Unfortunately, after enduring the heat of the passenger compartment, the flight was cancelled due to maintenance issues, allowing the employers another glimpse of the difficulties and challenges reservists are facing with the conversion to a different aircraft.
 
"The flight would have been the icing on the cake, but it was still a good day," said Jeff Spencer, of Honda of America. The employers still had a chance to tour the aircraft static. They experienced the mammoth proportions of the cargo compartment and climbed to the flight deck to marvel over the controls.
 
After the flight, the employers had a few moments to listen to Col. Brian Dominguez, 445th Airlift Wing vice commander, speak on the difficulties of the new mission and the efforts the wing is making to transition. The day ended with the presentation of a certificate of participation presented by the vice commander.
 
Employers left, smiling and thanking the wing for their service and for the opportunity to visit the base. "It's amazing what you guys do and we really appreciate it," said Taylor. 

Other employers couldn't wait to return next year, joking that they'd like a rain check on the flight. "I learned a lot today, I would highly recommend the day to other employers," said Killacky.