Operation Santa Lift Published Dec. 22, 2010 By Brad Fallin 94th Airlift Wing DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The 94th Airlift Wing played host to approximately 15 area foster kids for a half day and provided them a behind-the-scenes look at base activities in the first-ever Operation Santa Lift tour. The kids started the morning off with a stop at base operations to look at how the weather station plays an important part in flight operations here. Next, they received a safety briefing about the C-130H2 Hercules before walking out to the flight line and boarding the large cargo aircraft for a ground ride down the runway and around the base taxiways. After deplaning the aircraft they were off to the Maintenance Operations Center to get a first-hand look at how maintenance for the base aircraft is organized, directed and tracked. Afterwards, it was on to the engine shop for an up-close look at the versatile Allison turboprop engine that gets the C-130H2 into the air. The kids were then led to the tire changing and storage area to see how the large aircraft tires are mounted to the wheels and to understand the safety practices in place to insure safe operations. The final stop was at the Consolidated Club for lunch where a weapons display was set up by Security Forces personnel. All-in-all the kids got a good look at what is involved in operating Air Force Reserve base and had plenty of questions for base personnel along the way.
