Employers Fly Along with 403rd Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tabitha Spinks
  • 403rd Wing
KEESLER AFB, MIss. --  From the window to the weather equipment to the flight deck, Jenny Cullinan, made the most of her invitation to fly aboard a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter Nov. 3.

Cullinan, a representative of Cellular South, said she thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Reservists of the 403rd Wing during the unit's annual Employer Day. She spent much of the two-hour flight along the coast asking questions of aircrew and learning about the aircraft and the people who do their jobs in the air.

More than 30 employers from the region joined Cullinan in learning more about the Air Force Reserve. Employers were invited by Reservists who work for their businesses in their civilian lives. Potential Reserve employers from well-known coast businesses were also guests of the wing.

Most employers who hire Reservists know that they have committed to serving at least one weekend a month and two weeks each year. Few, however, know that a typical 403rd Wing aircrew works an average of 120 days per year for the Reserve and non-aircrew work an average of 85 days each year serving their country.

Employers learned that these Citizen Airmen's service comes in addition to working full-time civilian jobs and taking care of their families.

A few of the employers were also aware that Reservists can also be called to active duty at any given time. Despite these inconveniences, all of the employers who visited said they would still choose to hire these servicemembers, because of the million-dollar training they receive and the managerial skills they possess.

"It is important for American businesses to support people who defend our country," said Doug Kaul, a chiropractic physician with the Mobile Chiropractic Associates in Mobile, Ala. "It's a minor way to contribute without doing it ourselves."

Bankers, doctors, hoteliers, police officers and other employers began their day with a discussion on Wing operations before getting on an orientation flight with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the Hurricane Hunters.

The flight took them from Keesler out to the Gulf of Mexico where they learned how the Hurricane Hunters perform their mission.

Master Sgt. Tony Hlavac, a weather reconnaissance loadmaster, explained how he uses an instrument called a dropsonde to collect critical data about tropical weather that is then relayed to the National Hurricane Center for use in forecasting. Dropsondes are also used in gathering weather information in winter storms, a task the Hurricane Hunters perform from November to April each year for the National Weather Service.

He also demonstrated an actual drop and answered questions while the pilots changed course and headed toward New Orleans. Nearly every one wanted to see the Superdome and all were interested in how recovery was progressing along the Mississippi Coast.

It's easier to understand more about it when you actually learn what the Reservists are doing during their training, according to Bruce R. Saltalamachia, Jefferson Parish Fire Department. "Reservists are highly disciplined, easy to train, and they understand authority."

"We really enjoyed the flight," said Kaul. "I thought it was interesting to see how everything worked."

After the flight, employers returned to the base and enjoyed a catered lunch at Taylor Logistics Center provided by the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce. Awards were presented to those employers whose Reservists nominated them for recognition.

It is important to recognize these individuals because it helps them realize how much of a contribution they make when they give our Reservists job opportunities and allow them to do their military duty, according to Lt. Col. Patricia Beyer, 403rd Judge Advocate, who recommended her employer, Deborah Rhodes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, for recognition.

"Employers who hire Reservists have a sense of pride knowing they have someone defending their country as part of their team," said Kimberly Nastasi, chief executive officer of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.

"Success of the Air Force Reserve depends upon the cooperation and communication of the entire Reserve team: employers, families and the Reservists, said Brig. Gen. Richard Moss, commander, 403rd Wing.

"I believe serving is a good idea and the patriotic thing to do," said Kaul. "If I wasn't too old, I would join myself."