Honorary Commander's Association Class of 2006 wraps up in South Carolina

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mark A. Winklosky
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --   Recently, the Honorary Commander's Association embarked on a two-day trip to South Carolina sponsored by the 911th Airlift Wing and 99th Regional Readiness Command.
The trip's intent was to showcase the Air Force and Army's assets in the state by visiting Charleston Air Force Base and Fort Jackson. Along on the trip were 15 civic leaders from the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, eight members of the 911th AW and four personnel from the 99th RRC.
Day one began with a C-130 Hercules flight from Pittsburgh to Charleston AFB. Upon arrival the group was greeted by Col. Tim Wrighton, 315th Airlift Wing commander. Next up was a visit to the C-17 Globemaster III flight simulator for some hands-on piloting experience.
"It was so realistic that when the simulator operator told another gentleman to get two more people, I thought: How's he going to get two more people when we're in the air," said Dana Sherman, comptroller for the 911th AW.
From there, it was back to the flight line for a tour of a real C-17. After checking out the C-17, it was lunch at the Charleston Club. During lunch, Col. Wrighton briefed the group on the mission of the 315th AW. Afterwards, the group went on a bus tour of the aerial port squadron where they learned about how equipment and goods are palletized, loaded onto the aircraft and dropped at specific locations around the world. The last item for the day was a visit to the miniature C-17.
Day two began with an early flight, this time to the Army's largest training center located at Fort Jackson. Here the group was greeted and briefed by the installation's chief of staff, Col. Joseph Lowder. After the briefing, Col. Lowder introduced the installation's commander, Brig. Gen. James H. Schwitters, who invited the group to attend a basic trainee graduation ceremony as his distinguished guests.
"The graduation ceremony was very moving for me. I enjoyed very much watching the proud family and friends of the graduates, and found myself thinking about how proud my dad's parents must have been when he graduated from Fort Jackson over thirty nine years ago," said Brian Walker, chief financial officer for Millcraft Industries, Inc.
Directly after the ceremony, the group headed for the woods to observe trainees as they tackled the confidence course. From there they were instructed in the high-tech virtual reality small arms engagement simulation training. Following the training the group headed to lunch at the chow hall. Soldiers from the tri-state area were invited to eat and talk with the honorary commander's. The tour concluded with a visit to one of the platoon's barracks.
Other events this year included tours of the 911th AW and 99th RRC, as well as a trip to the Starvaggi Drop Zone where the honorary commander's had the opportunity to observe a field training exercise. This year's class will conclude with a relinquishment of command dinner, Nov. 16.
In March 2003, the Honorary Commander's Association was developed as a cooperative effort between the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, 911th Airlift Wing, and the Army's 99th Regional Readiness Command.
The purpose of the HCA is to educate the local business community on the Air Force and Army Reserve's role in the grand strategic plan for national defense. It also encourages employers to support employees who are currently serving in the reserves.
"The Honorary Commander's Association is very important to our relationship with our community and our reservists' employers. This program gives civic leaders the opportunity to see behind the curtain as to what goes on not only here at Pittsburgh but at other military locations around the country. This affords these civic leaders the opportunity to establish a new perspective on what their military does, how it does it, and most importantly, what their employees do when they are performing their military duty," said Col. Randal Bright, 911th Airlift Wing commander.
The HCA program will resume again in February with an induction ceremony for the class of 2007.