JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The civic leaders didn't go to Tampa for the beaches; they went to learn the military mission.
Members of the Joint Base Charleston Civic Leader Program traveled by C-17 Globemaster III from JB Charleston to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 5, 2014, to participate in a military tour highlighting the 6th Air Mobility Wing mission.
The visit allowed JB Charleston's civic leaders an opportunity to learn firsthand about the ongoing missions and operations of the 8th Air Force and Air Mobility Command.
Before departing JB Charleston, Col. John Lamontagne, 437th Airlift Wing commander, addressed the group with a few opening remarks and thanked them for their ongoing help and support.
"The goal of the JB Charleston Civic Leader Program is to educate and inspire representatives of the local community," said James Bowman, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs community relations representative. "Traveling with the civics to MacDill not only strengthens the bond we've made with the community, but also strengthens the bond with our mobility partners."
Among the military officers from MacDill accompanying the civics were Brig. Gen. James Slife, U.S. Central Command vice director, Col. Dan Tulley, 6th Mobility Air Wing commander and Col. Andre Briere, 6th MAW vice commander.
While visiting MacDill, the civic leaders toured Hangar 5, belonging to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but known around the world simply as "The Hurricane Hunters."
NOAA flies out of MacDill into hurricanes, but their mission extends to monitoring the health of marine species and watching for poachers.
After visiting with the Hurricane Hunters, the civics had lunch with MacDill's civic leaders before trying their hands at training simulators that included landing an aircraft, operating a boom and parachuting to a designated location.
"This event wouldn't have been successful without the teamwork of MacDill AFB," said Bowman.