Nomad Association builds wing esprit de corps, prepares reunion Published April 13, 2009 By Chrissy Cuttita Team Eglin Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Following with tradition of "once a Nomad, always a Nomad," the 33rd Fighter Wing prepares to celebrate its heritage with a reunion in the local area April 30 to May 2. One way current and former wing members have been able to stay in touch is through the Nomad Association, a non-profit, private organization that has existed since the mid 1980s to promote friendship and goodwill among its members and their families. Their latest venture is planning three days of activities for the Nomad Reunion with an expected audience of 500 at a local hotel in Sandestin, Fla. Besides being the 33rd Fighter Wing reunion, the event is particularly special this year due to the wing drawdown and a May 1 open house that will showcase the last Air Force F-15 demonstration flight flown by the service's West Coast teams stationed here. "But more importantly we'll be saying goodbye to the F-15 Eagle as one of the world's best air-to-air superiority fighters," said Capt. Oryan Joseph, reunion director. The F-15 arrived at Eglin in 1979 and the last airplane is scheduled to leave in September, just before the 33rd FW becomes a part of Air Education and Training Command as a future Joint Strike Fighter training facility here. Setting up a major event such as the Nomad Reunion is something Master Sgt. Hareech Carswell, Nomad Association president, said provides great leadership opportunity for wing members. He said he has also benefitted professionally by being president. "I was always involved in the wing but now I have more direct management and organize things," said Sergeant Carswell. "You learn how things happen at the wing. As president I have to know how to reach out to known expertise out there that can take a project and run with it." Throughout the year wing members are able to lead in a variety of fundraisers and community service projects. Monies collected go to awards, ceremonies and, if necessary, emergency assistance. The payoff for volunteer work is the morale Nomad Association events can build at the 33rd FW. It is something that will continue after the wing's transition because there will continue to be Nomads, and the legacy of the private organization has the opportunity to live on with future incoming wing members. "As Air Force we are called to be role models and ambassadors to the community," said Sergeant Carswell. "We like to get everyone involved." More information on the Nomad Reunion can be found on their website, www.33fwnomads.com.