Oklahoma leaders 'explode' with patriotism during Eglin visit

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • 96 ABW Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The art and science of our nation's advanced war-fighting technology, a patriotic yearn to discover the Air Force mission hands-on and the desire to see it woven into the synergy of U.S. military defense, plus the cool points in watching something blow up, brought Oklahoma visitors to Eglin AFB Aug. 8.

Twenty-seven members of the Tinker AFB Community Star program, with their partnered home base military leaders, deplaned a KC-135 on the runway here Aug. 7, spent dinner at the Officers' Club with local community leaders and commanders and on the following day, saw as much of the diverse mission they could navigate to in one day on DoD's largest AF base.

"You've met the objective," Brig. Gen. Judith Fedder, 76th Maintenance Wing commander, said to Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, just before her group departed from Eglin's runway at the end of their visit. "You've shared many experiences of what Airmen are doing around the world."

No visit could start without an introduction, so the group began their journey listening to a Team Eglin briefing on the morning of Aug. 8. Air Armament Center leadership provided information on the integrated operations of all units, represented by a majority of AF major commands and other branches of service located here.

"We saw future development and the huge role technology plays in today's military," said Cathy O'Connor, COMMSTAR. "What strikes you is how much they thought about it."

Col. Arnold Bunch, AAC vice commander, explained how armament wins the fight and saves lives. He delivered the message that Team Eglin is working on advanced technology to minimize collateral damage with accurate pinpoint location. All the research, development and testing are conducted so Airmen go down range with a decisive technological advantage.

"As a legislator, I learned a need to push Congress to fund for this live-saving technology for military," said Okla. State Representative Shane Jett, COMMSTAR, who was impressed with the advanced defense systems, like the Dominator, shown at the Air Force Research Laboratory. This weaponry is smaller and more effective, yet keeps things on budget."

The opportunity to see new and unique things was a highlight for many.

"My favorite part was the climatic lab," said Dr. Jeanie Webb, COMMSTAR. "I've never seen anything like it. I didn't know anything like that existed and how important it is."

"You read a lot about what is going on with the military but people don't get a good understanding of it," said Michael Klobber, former COMMSTAR, who was impressed with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal's robots, one of which he had the opportunity to operate. "The media doesn't cover this, so I want to go back and share the stuff you wouldn't know as American public."

While at EOD, guest met their desired goal - to watch something blow up.

"It was awesome," said Representative Jett who had the opportunity to push the button that fired the explosion. "There's something cool about big bangs and fire. The films at the morning briefing just whet your appetite."

Another close and personal experience was an IED explosion on a convoy exercised by the 96th Ground Combat Squadron, one of the few AF deployment security forces training centers.

"You see what they go through and the emotion with it," said Dr. Webb after watching the exercised attack by an unseen enemy that ended with bringing a simulated wounded Airman to safety.

What was also very "real" to the guests was the diversity of missions at Eglin, similar, if not more so than, that of their home base which has an air base wing host, an E-3 AWACS wing, a bomber aircraft capability, a Reserve refueling wing, a combat communications squadron, Navy Strategic Air Command and an immense AF Air Logistic Center.

"This gives our leaders a better picture of Air Force Material Command," said Col. Mona "Lisa" Tucker, who had lived on Eglin when she was a young girl and attended field training here in the 80's. "It is a great base with great hospitality."

The group couldn't leave without visiting one of their own geographically separated Tinker units, the 728th Air Control Squadron. While there, they also received a mission brief by the 919th Special Operations Wing from Duke Field.

All the "bases" on the base were covered as best could be done in the little timeframe the visitors had here. They left more informed and, perhaps, a bit "shell shocked."