News

President thanks wing Reservists

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Craig Johnson
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  For most 446th Airlift Wing aircrews, the last five years have brought endless missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, not to mention presidential support missions. Two aircrews received a special thank you on the wing's behalf for all that work.
The 313th and 728th Airlift Squadrons were asked to fly an eight day mission to support the president during the busy last week prior to the Nov. 7 elections.
Leading the 313th AS aircrew was Maj. Steve Burrington and the 728th AS aircraft commander was Maj. Jim Brady. Departing McChord AFB within minutes of each other, the two planes spent the next week flying ahead of President Bush, delivering security personnel, limousines and all the support equipment that is required to protect the president.
After stops in Georgia, Montana, Iowa, and Nebraska, the crews found themselves in Pensacola, Fla., and the final stop of the mission. Through careful coordination with the Secret Service, Major Burrington was successful in arraigning for both crews to meet the commander-in-chief prior to him boarding Air Force One. After being escorted by the Florida State Patrol, the crews arrived at Pensacola Naval Air Station and were quickly shuffled through security. The president's motorcade arrived and the president departed his limousine, making a beeline for the waiting crowd and our aircrews. Mr. Bush took the time to individually greet each crewmember and thank them and all of the Air Force Reserve for their service.