Dobbins launches Hercules Council Published Oct. 7, 2011 By Charlie Wilson Dobbins Hercules Council DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base recently launched the Hercules Council, a grassroots community relations program named in honor of its trademark transport aircraft fleet. Dobbins' Public Affairs team had it's sights set on Leigh Colburn, and for good reason. As principal of Marietta High School, the 1983 MHS alumnae, who like many Mariettans grew up in Dobbins' shadow, and was a good candidate for the 94th's auspicious ambassador program whose nom de guerre pays homage to the flagship C-130 transport fleet stationed there. What drew Colburn to the Hercules Council was her family's military service background and her tireless support of the Air Force ROTC program at Marietta High School. She's had such positive influence on its continued success at MHS that even her own son, Phillip Colburn, ninth-grader is enrolled in the program. "My father was a military officer, so my support of the military and especially Dobbins and its influence on Marietta and Cobb County's health and growth are very important to me," Colburn said. "It's important to all of us because it's an active partnership." Colburn was among a dozen business and community leaders who met Tuesday morning behind Dobbins' gates at the Consolidated Club cafeteria and conference room for continental breakfast and briefings from Dobbins ARB's top brass. In a time of massive federal budget cuts, including base realignment at Forest Park's Fort Gillem, the impending closure of Fort McPherson in south Atlanta and the dismantling of Naval Air Station Atlanta just across the tarmac from the 94th Airlift Wing's new air traffic control tower, Dobbins' members aren't dwelling on what-ifs but focusing on can-dos. "It's literally impossible for us to do our jobs without local support," said Shaun Shenk, 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs. "Hosting the Hercules Council benefits everyone involved, and let's the general public know what we're doing and how we're doing it." This was the second and penultimate Hercules Council meeting of the year. It opened with a Col. Marshall Irvin, 94th Mission Support Group commander, and 28-year Air Force veteran. Had his military career not progressed to where it is today, Col. Irvin surely would have raked in millions as a motivational speaker with his passionate and energetic public speaking delivery. "This isn't about us," Col. Irvin boomed in his drab and pixilated pattern combat fatigues while standing before the breakfast group. He pointed at himself and the other officers seated to his right. He then shifted his stance and moved his arms in a wide circular motion as if to encompass everyone in the room: "This is about us. This is about all of us." "Every time I go out I have people thanking me for my service," Irvin added. "But I have a standard answer for them all. I say thank you for your support. The reason we have the best Air Force in the world and can deliver much needed equipment to our service men and women throughout the world and deliver death and devastation to our enemies is because of you and your support of us." Death and devastation of America's enemies may become more of a regular occurrence come Oct. 1, Col. Irvin said. That's when Dobbins transitions from Air Education Training Command to Air Mobility Command. "From base physicians to traditional airmen, cooks and contractors, we're going to take these people and bring them to the fight," Col. Irvin assured the group. "The transition is a total effort. Going from a traditional model of military teachers and tutors to full-time terrorism fighters will elevate Dobbins' profile and troop proficiencies." Following the high-powered breakfast session, council members were transported to Dobbins' new $7.5 million, 7,000 square-foot air traffic control tower and air control training simulator. For most council members this was their first time to hear of it, much less tour the facility first hand. Accompanied by Col. Steve Clayton, 94th Operations Group commander, Lt. Col. Pete Wojcieschowski, 94th Maintenance Group commander and Lt. Col. Timothy Johnson,94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs officer, the group entered the ground floor of the tower, took an elevator up five floors and then hiked a few more in the stairwell to reach the the nine-story tower's high-security inner sanctum. Standing at 100 feet tall, this state-of-the-art beige stucco flight line fortress dwarfs its circa 1940s red brick predecessor by 40 feet. All that remains of the former tower is a dirt and concrete square patch about the size of a regulation basketball court. In 2010, Dobbins air traffic controllers conducted 70,118 operations, making the base the 12th busiest in terms of traffic, according to Dobbins Public Affairs. "We can do it all from here," said David Seal, air traffic control specialist, during the council's guided tour. "Our visibility and radar capabilities are unmatched. It's all about getting our aircraft and airmen in and out safely." Seal is a civilian federal employee who's been with Dobbins Air Control Operations since 1996. From the air tower tour and air control simulator demonstration, the group boarded the bus again for a drive through Dobbins' campus and general facilities, narrated by Kelly Childress, chief of Dobbins Engineering Flight and civilian employee. Council members' questions were fielded by Childress' first-hand knowledge as he backed up each response with data reports. Even standing in the aisle of a moving, bobbling bus, Dobbins' staff was operating at peak proficiency. "I just think it's great that we get to see how things operate here so we can go out and tell everyone what a great job our military is doing," Colburn said. "They're keeping us safe from harm, and that's a huge responsibility." For information about attending the Hercules Council or other Dobbins ARB outreach programs and opportunities, contact Shaun Shenk at 678-655-5055 and shaun.shenk.1@us.af.mil.
