News

JBLM welcomes Georgia civic leaders

  • Published
  • By Maj. Brooke Davis
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McChord, Wash. --  Civic leaders from the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, area ventured to the Pacific Northwest to learn about the Joint Base Lewis-McChord mission.

Arriving July 11 aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 434th Air Refueling Wing from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, the civic leaders marveled at the cool summer temperatures here verses the hot humid Georgia climate.

Headed by Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, the chief of Air Force Reserve and commander, Air Force Reserve Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly, AFRC command chief master sergeant, the Civic Leader Tour was a joint effort between AFRC, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, and the 78th Air Base Wing.

The group toured JBLM and became immersed in C-17 Globemaster and Army static displays including a Stryker vehicle, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, and a Buffalo Mine-Protected Clearance Vehicle.

Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 446th Airlift Wing provided a tour of the C-17.. The civic leaders were able to learn about the Aeromedical Evacuation mission as well as the role of the Flying Crew Chiefs, loadmasters and pilots.

During a dinner hosted by the Pierce Military and Business Alliance, Miller spoke of how honored she was to meet with young service members during her visit.

“It was an honor for me to speak to young men and women who make the choice to wear the uniform,” she said. “They’re making the choice to serve our country and they are the future of our country.”

Miller also thanked both the Georgia and Washington civic leaders for supporting the military community.

“Every community is the best at supporting the military,” she said. “And we could not do what we do without your support.”

With ties to the local community, Miller was previously stationed at the then McChord Air Force Base, serving as a C-141 Starlifter instructor pilot with the 8th Airlift Squadron in 1987, then transitioned to the 446th Airlift ‘Rainier’ Wing’s 313th Airlift Squadron to serve as the Flying Safety chief and C-141 instructor pilot in 1988.

During the tour, attendees from the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership made a presentation on how they work to address issues that affect military and civilian communities around JBLM and to foster outcomes that are mutually beneficial for the South Sound region.

“We feel this partnership is an exportable program that could be established in other communities,” said Dave Bugher, Lakewood Assistant City Manager. “Support and collaboration are critical to keeping both the community and military healthy.”

The SSMCP’s most recent milestone includes signing a memorandum of agreement to establish the roles and responsibilities of the parties in undertaking the tasks and obligations necessary to complete the JBLM North Clear Zone Action & Implementation Plan.

The purpose of the North Clear Zone project was to develop a strategy and plan of action to resolve existing land use encroachments in the North Clear Zone of McChord Airfield.

Military representatives from Georgia also included Col. Jed McCray, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex vice commander and Chief Master Sgt. Emilio Hernandez, Command Chief, 78th ABW.

The Rainier Wing aircrew flew the civic leaders and AFRC leadership to their next portion of the tour at Hill AFB, Utah, July 12.