HURLBURT FIELD, Florida -- Resilience is a top priority across the Air Force and the 28th Intelligence Squadron at Hurlburt Field is focused on both individual and family resilience, which was reflected during the first weekend in August. However, the unit relied upon support across the total force to help make the weekend a success. It was only through the support of both military and civilian partners the unit could accomplish all its resilience goals during its unit training assembly (UTA) weekend.
“The power of the total force is the way that we are able to leverage resources that are not present in any one component alone,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Phillips, Commander of the 28th IS. “The total force is how and why we come together to help one another to meet our mission and support our Airmen and families.”
The 73rd Special Operations Squadron, a Regular Air Force (RegAF) unit, made an AC-130J aircraft available for a static display for 28 IS leadership, members and families to visit.
The 73rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit), with a three-member team led by Master Sgt. Michael DeLucy, and the 5th Special Operations Squadron, an Air Reserve Command unit under the 919th Special Operations Wing, made the event memorable by providing knowledge personnel to talk about the aircraft, its capabilities and operations.
Lt. Col. Jason Fox and Maj. Karl Cirulis, both 5th SOS instructor pilots, discussed the aircraft weapons and avionics with 28 IS unit members while the youngest family members had an opportunity to sit in the seat to experience “flying” an airplane firsthand.
“It was a great experience to update our fellow Reserve partners on the capabilities of the AC-130J. This will enhance our mission effectiveness in the future, especially as both RegAF and Reserve AC-130J operators keep evolving,” Lt. Col. Fox said.
In addition to the support for the AC-130J static display, the 1st Special Operations Medical Dental Group’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program ran a Driving Under the Influence simulator and offered unit-facilitated training for Airmen on responsible alcohol use.
The 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing Commander, Col. Philip O. Warlick II, and the wing’s Key Spouse, Mrs. Julie Warlick, were able to speak with Mr. Earl Rivers from the ADAPT program about the program’s efforts at Hurlburt Field.
Mrs. Warlick and Mrs. Rebecca Brooks, the 755th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing Key Spouse, were able to also visit the 25th Intelligence Squadron’s Airman Resilience Team. As the classic associate to the 25 IS, the 28 IS is able to receive support from the 25 IS ART to meet the resilience needs of its members, including flight medicine, physical therapy, mental health, and chaplaincy support. The 25 IS ART and 25 IS team was also present as the 28 IS conducted a unit memorial during the weekend to celebrate the life of one of its members who recently passed away.
“I’m convinced the strength of our association between the 25 IS and the 28 IS is one of the strongest in the Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Phillips, “It is the Airmen who make it strong and it is the relationship between our two units that bring strength to our Airmen to make them more resilient. It is how we stay ready now and will be ready as we transform toward the future.”