Senior Airman Joshua Griffith, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, explains some of the cockpit controls to Emma Young while Jack Dufrene pretends to make announcements using part of the C-130J-30 cockpit's communicaions system. During Herc Day, familes of 403rd Wing reservists toured two static displays, an 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J-30 and a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WC-130J aircraft. Emma is the daughter of Capt. Bobbie Young, 403rd Services Flight, and Jack is the son of Master Sgt. John Dufrene, 403rd Maintenance Operations Flight maintenance scheduler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

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Tristan, son of Senior Airman Henry Hainsworth, learns the fine art of "shake, take and salute" during Herc Day. Brig. Gen. James Muscatell, 403rd Wing commander, presented each of the young participants with a certificate and coin during the event. Airman Hainsworth is a 41st Aerial Port Squadron supply journeyman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

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Staff Sgt. J Williams, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron medic, molds a SAM splint to Blane Gehl's arm at the Self Aid and Buddy Care station during Herc Day. Blane and his brother, Sean, are the sons of Tech. Sgt. Anthony Gehl, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

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Christian Cruz lines up his sights on a mock AK-47 assault rifle at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance weapons display station during Herc Day. Christian and his sister, Allie, are the children of Tech. Sgts. Alex and Carrie Cruz, 41st Aerial Port Squadron aerial porters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

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Senior Airman Marie Zieman, 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management readiness apprentice, adjusts the hood on the chemical protective overgrment worn by J-Maxwell Irvin, son of Lt. Col. Marshall Irvin Jr., 403rd Mission Support Group commander. Participants in the Herc Day event donned chemical protective gear and masks at the Equipment/Readiness station, simulating some of the Mission Oriented Protective Postures reservists train under. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

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Herc Day Happenings

Published April 11, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Saturday morning of the April Unit Training Assembly, the 403rd Wing hosted Operation Herc Day 2010 along with the Wing Family Day Event.

Herc Day served as an entertaining and educational venue for providing children of wing reservists with a taste of what their parents do in preparing for a deployment. Children received dog tags, basic drill and marching training, hands-on instruction with mobility equipment and participated in a "bag drag" relay during the morning event.

Reservists and their family members also toured two static displays, an 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J-30 and a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WC-130J aircraft. Brig. Gen. James Muscatell, 403rd Wing commander, presented each participant with a certificate and coin toward the end of the event.