Ops group takes community to skies

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Travis honorary commanders toured the 60th Operations Group on Travis Dec. 6 in order to gain a wider scope of the Air Force mission.

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.

"When I started the honorary commander program I had very little insight into the military lifestyle and Travis," said Sgt. Chris Polen, Vacaville police and 9th Air Refueling Squadron honorary commander. "Now I can't stop talking about it. I take every opportunity I have to talk about the members of the 9th ARS and Travis."

The Operations Group was the final group tour for the honorary commanders in 2013. Previously, they had the opportunity to tour the Medical Group, the Maintenance Group and the Mission Support Group.

For the operations group, honorary commanders toured the air traffic control tower, the Radar Approach Control section and concluded with a flight on the KC-10 Extender.

"The honorary commander flight gave our civilian supporters the opportunity to experience what the operations group does on a daily basis," said Col. David Mott, 60th OG commander. "From the tower and RAPCON controllers to the aircrew, the honorary commanders were exposed to a side of Travis rarely seen by the public."

During the flight, the KC-10 aerial refueled a C-17 Globemaster III while the honorary commanders witnessed from the boom operator's perspective.

The precision that took place among the cockpit crew, the boom operator and the flight crew receiving the fuel was the most impressive aspect of the flight, Polen said.

"The importance of maintaining our strong ties with our civilian community cannot be understated," Mott said. "Travis is an import aspect to Solano County as a workforce provider and a critical cog in Air Mobility Command. We need their support to ensure our installation and Airmen are always prepared to execute."

For Polen, participating in this program is more meaningful than witnessing aspects of the mission rarely seen first-hand by the community.

"Travis participates in local, state and international missions," Polen said. "The level of resources Travis provides to the world is unlike any other business. On a moment's notice, crews are ready to help no matter where the crisis takes them. Requests can come in from local law enforcement or from Haiti. No matter what resources are needed, crews are ready to deliver."

The tour gave Airmen within the 60th OG the opportunity to tell their Air Force story, and spread the mission by sharing the tasks they complete daily with the group.

"Although they only saw a slice of the group, they now understand what it takes to be a part of what we do," Mott said.