TUCSON, Ariz., - Nearly 100 business leaders from the Western
United States and Guam converged on Arizona's 162nd Fighter Wing here at
Tucson International Airport Oct. 27-28 to learn about the Air National
Guard's mission and people.
Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, hosted a
Business and Industry Days event at the Air Guard's international F-16
training unit to give the employers a clear picture of how Guardsmen
simultaneously serve the nation and the civilian work force.
The regional event was started in 1972 by the first Air National Guard
director, Maj. Gen. I.G. Brown, as a way to reconnect Air Guardsmen with
civilian employers during the Vietnam War. Today, with fewer Americans
serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Air Guard officials view Business and
Industry Days as an important vehicle to create awareness and support for
America's Citizen Airmen.
"We've tried to keep alive this tradition because we recognize the important
role that employers - business and industry - play in mission accomplishment
and supporting our Guardsmen and families," said Wyatt.
"We hope to show them a day in the life of their Airmen. By running them
through the different venues we have planned for them here they'll have a
deeper appreciation for their Airmen and likewise will understand that our
Airmen appreciate what our employers do for them," he said.
"We hope these individuals will have a good experience and will go back to
their state and spread the word about the value of hiring Guardsmen and the
quality of work and individuals they have in their employ."
Adjutants general from 10 western states and Guam personally invited the
most influential business leaders from their areas to participate. They
arrived here with representatives from their state's Air Guard to experience
several aspects of military life.
On the first day, the group shared a combat dining out where they were
served unitized group rations from a Single Pallet Expeditionary Kitchen, or
SPEK. The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest from California played
during the dinner, after which, General Wyatt spoke about the overall
history and mission of the Air Guard.
Day two began with briefings from 162nd Fighter Wing leadership, Employer
Support for the Guard and Reserve, and Air National Guard Command Chief
Master Sgt. Chris Muncy. The group then toured the base to see the mission
first hand.
They flew F-16 simulators, visited with maintenance personnel, witnessed the
power of an F-16 afterburner during an engine test and watched base
firefighters perform an aircraft fire extraction demonstration where Airmen
rehearsed a pilot rescue exercise.
"I'm really impressed. This has given us the kind of exposure to the
military that otherwise we would never get," said Shawnie McLaurin, a Human
Resources Manager for NV Energy in Las Vegas, Nev. "It definitely gave me a
sense of what our servicemembers go through and their degree of commitment
and dedication to our country."
"I must say that everything here is so well organized and first class all
the way. We are learning so much that we can take back to our workforce as
we look at ways to serve as you serve."
Muncy said programs that help educate employers and the general public are
extremely vital for today's Guard and Reserve.
"Most people don't know who we are and that's on us. We have to go out and
tell our story," he said. "It's good for our Guardsmen and it creates one
more group of advocates."
Muncy also said the 162nd Fighter Wing was the right platform for Business
and Industry Days due to its history, reputation and fighter training
mission.
"You have so much to see here and people love to see single-seat fast
movers," he said. "Besides, you can't beat Arizona weather in late October."
"I want to thank the 162nd for hosting this because it's an extremely
important event," said Wyatt. "We wanted to highlight the 162nd because we
thought it would be representative of the type of training and job skills
required to be an Air National Guardsman."