Employers get first-hand Airman experience

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman George Cloutier and Tech. Sgt. Timm Huffman
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Fifteen employers from the local area came to Westover, Aug. 7, to get an up-close and personal view of the 439th Airlift Wing mission.

     The employers were brought to Westover as part of the Employer Appreciation Day program, which educates employers of Westover's Airmen on the Air Force mission and Airman daily life.

     While at Westover, employers visited a number of mission areas and had the opportunity to see first-hand some of the things Airmen experience each day and during deployments.

     The day started with a simulated mobility line in the Base Hanger, designed to give employers a feel for how a deployment begins. They were then given a mission briefing by Col. Robert Swain Jr., the Patriot Wing commander, in the 337th Airlift Squadron's briefing room. 

     After the briefing, the employers learned from aerial port members how to load a truck into the C-5, toured the plane, tried on Mission Oriented Protective Posture Gear, flew in the C-5 flight simulator, and traveled to the Dogpatch training area, where they ate a Meals Ready to Eat lunch and watched an aircrew survival training exercise.

     During lunch, the employers heard from Massachusetts Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve representatives on why it is important to support their employees who are members of the Reserve.

     After lunch, the employers could visit their employee's work centers and then go to the Westover Consolidated Club for appetizers and to learn more about supporting their employees.

     David Murphy, with the Hampshire County Sheriff's Department, said the day opened his eyes to what it means to be a Reservist and pledged his support to his employees.

     "I think that with the authority I have in my role on behalf of the employer I will continue to be an advocate for the Reservist," he said. "Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn more about how important it is to support the Guard and Reserve."

     Employer support for the Reserve is an important component to Westover getting the
mission done. When Airmen know they have the support of their employers, then they can focus their attention on getting the job done right.

     Tom Boyle, the Massachusetts ESGR chairman, said Employer Day gives employers the chance to see their employees performing above and beyond the level they would normally see them at in their civilian jobs.

      "When [employers] come here, they see them in uniform, performing military duties and they see the discipline, the self-esteem, the confidence, the commitment, all of that they get to see, and it's a whole different world," he said.

     To find out how you can support Reservists in your workplace, or to be involved in an upcoming employer event, visit www.maesgr.org or contact the 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office at 439aw.pa@westover.af.mil.