512th AW flies civic leaders down south Published March 1, 2010 By Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda 512th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Nineteen civic leaders from Dover and surrounding areas attended the 512th Airlift Wing's Civic Leader Tour Feb. 18-19 to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., and Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. "A fly-away like this is a unique opportunity to demonstrate to our community civic leaders a sampling of some of the different missions that Citizen Airmen perform on a daily basis," said Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th AW commander. "It demonstrates that the Air Force Reserve is much more than what they see here at Dover Air Force Base. It also allows these civic leaders the opportunity to network with other civic leaders from other bases to improve the information flow." Participants included mayors from Dover, Smyrna and Georgetown; business leaders from Autozone and ING Direct; as well as educators such as the president of Wesley College. They experienced a mid-air refueling operation on board a C-17 Globemaster III, toured the Lockheed Martin plant and visited the home of the Hurricane Hunters, where they learned how reservists provide vital weather data to the National Hurricane Center. The group also received a briefing from Maj. Gen. James T. Rubeor, 22nd Air Force commander, on how Dover's reservists contribute to the overall mission of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. "This tour was fantastic," said Ann Watkins, owner of Microtel Inn and Suites-Dover and AmericInn hotels in Milford, Harrington, Rehoboth Beach and Bear. "I respect Dover Air Force Base and all that is done by our military and am thankful for the opportunity to have learned more about the Reserve and all that they do for our citizens." This is the first time in nearly 10 years, the 512th AW has hosted a fly-away civic leader tour. The 19 civic leaders who attended are: - Jeff Adams, district manager, Autozone, Washington D.C. area - Robert Berglund, member, Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Military Affair Committee - Dean Blaha, vice chairman, Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Military Affair Committee - Honorable Carleton Carey, mayor, Dover - Deborah Caulk, manager, Autozone, Dover - Robert Chester, commandant, Delaware Military Academy - Shane Cornett, human resources manager, Lowes Camden - Tony DePrima, city manager, Dover - Dr. Bill Johnston, president, Wesley College - Paul Jones, developer, Lessard Builders Construction - Scott Lugar, head of Consumer Lending at ING Direct - Crystal Officer, executive director, ResCare-VOCA Delaware - Francis Okoniewski, sales and marketing representative, Joseph T. Hardy and Son Inc. - Gene Ruane, councilman, city of Dover - Rev. Bud Russell, pastor, First Baptist Church Dover - Pam Sapko, executive director, Delaware Center for Horticulture - Honorable Patricia Stombaugh, mayor, Smyrna - Ann Watkins, owner, Microtell Inn and Suites-Dover; AmericInn-Milford, Harrington, Rehoboth Beach and Bear - Honorable Mike Wyatt, mayor, Georgetown.
