CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
South Carolina employers had the rare opportunity to spend two days as a reservist here May 28 and 29.
Twenty-six employers from across the state participated in Bosslift, a program sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, allowing employers of guard and Reserve service members to see a military mission firsthand.
"I could hardly sleep last night," said Mitch Peyton, district general manager for SimplexGrinnell and employer of Tech. Sgt. Cory Shaffer, an Air Force Reservist with the 38th Aerial Port Squadron.
The tour included a flight on a Charleston C-17 to the 914th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., where they toured a C-10, joint engine shop, learned about night vision goggles and had the opportunity to fire mock M-16 rifles. They also toured the new state-of-the-art fire station and the Military Entry Processing Station.
"It was like a dream come true, when this magnificent aircraft took flight. It was a sense of pure pride in our country and the technology of the machine. This was the beginning of a fantastic two-day adventure," said Richard Hopf, production supervisor at General Electric Energy, as he sat in the C-17 jump seat on the flight to Niagara Falls.
Ear-plug-wearing passengers were able to roam freely about the cargo area once airborne and up to the instrument-filled flight deck.
"Every crew member was obviously well trained and willing to share their experiences," added Mr. Hopf.
Col. Allan Swartzmiller, 914 AW commander, and Col. Patrick Ginavan, 107th Airlift Wing commander, welcomed the 26 employers to Niagara Falls ARS.
"Niagara Falls ARS is one of the first Air Force Reserve Command-Air National Guard Associations sharing 12 C-130H2 aircraft," said Colonel Swartzmiller during his wing briefing.
The Bosslift program is a Department of Defense initiative to bring employers and their military employees closer together.
"The men and women in the guard and Reserve play a very important part in our country's defense. Our visit to Niagara Falls ARS and the military flight to and from the base made that clear to our employers and ESGR committee members," said retired Col. Frank Taylor, area chairman for the South Carolina committee for ESGR.
"I soon realized that this trip wasn't about the aircraft, but rather about the men and women of our Army and Air Force Reserve. How soon we forget the sacrifice and duty to our country that these young men and women provide for our country every day," said Danny Rowland owner of CCM, LLC. "I think my favorite part of the trip was meeting these dedicated reservists, sitting in the jump seat of a C-17 during takeoff and landing was pretty cool too."
Bosslift is held annually in South Carolina and is designed specifically to immerse employers into the military culture.
"As an employer I came away from the trip with a greater appreciation of the capability and mission of our Reserve force. I salute the 315th and the ESGR committee for planning and execution of a wonderfully planned and organized trip," said Mr. Rowland.