Community leaders take flight with exercise set in Greece

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  
More than 50 Travis Air Force Base, Calif., civic leaders, with their friends and family in tow, took part in Operation Allied Liberation Oct. 2, a simulated humanitarian relief mission as part of the 60th Operations Group honorary commander tour.

Although simulated, the entire 60th OG team treated the exercise as though it were a real occurrence.

"We are unrivaled in the execution of our mission," said Col. Christopher Maddox, 60th OG commander. "Our stellar track record has earned us a reputation - one that, from time to time, commands our nation's attention and trust. Today we answer the call, not only of our nation, but also of our sister and ally: Greece."

When the Syrian Civil War broke out in 2011, Greece became overwhelmed by an influx of refugees arriving to the country after more than 4 million people fled Syria and took refuge in Europe and the surrounding countries. Because of this, Travis answered the call to help its NATO ally with humanitarian assistance and the civic leaders helped deliver over 1 million pounds of blankets, rations, temporary shelters and medical assistance to Souda Airfield, Greece.

"I'd like to thank each of you for answering our nation's call," Maddox said. "Our country depends on us, every day, to defend this nation and to advance its interests around the globe."

The tour gave the civic leaders insight into all the moving parts of 60th OG and the opportunity to see first-hand what it's like to fly a mission in the Air Force.

The civic leaders arrived for a mission, weather and intelligence briefing before being prepped for their mission. They then had the opportunity to learn about the 60th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment as they were fitted with helmets, masks and tested their night vision goggles. The civic leaders had the opportunity to visit the air traffic control tower and radar approach control facility before learning how to survive, evade, resist and escape in the unfortunate event that they would be isolated from the rest of the group.

Finally, the group was ready to fly their assigned aircraft in the base simulators in support of their mission.

"This mission is critical to providing humanitarian relief to the refugees in Greece," Jonathan Steiner said, 9th Air Refueling Squadron honorary commander and California Highway Patrol officer.

Steiner, who has been an honorary commander for just under a year, said he has enjoyed the experience of being in the program this far.

"I immensely enjoy being part of this program, the comradery and making lifelong friends with the colonels, other honorary commanders and Airmen I can mentor," he said. "This tour was different; it was more hands on and was a once in a lifetime experience. The Air Force is doing a fantastic job incorporating community leaders, teaching everything Travis does, what the Air Force does, showing everything Travis has."

The honorary commander program consists of 55 key civic leaders from counties surrounding Travis. Each assigned to a wing, group or squadron commander on Travis. The honorary commander program is designed to integrate civic leaders from the local community into the military for a two-year term. The partnership is mutually beneficial, as both civilians and Airmen gain a better understanding of the others' role.

The 60th OG tour was the third of four tours scheduled this year. The civic leaders previously visited the 60th Medical Group and 60th Maintenance Group and will visit both the 60th Mission Support Group next month.