Dobbins hosts Employers Day Published July 19, 2006 By Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia 94th Airlift Wing DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Employers, ranging in occupations from elementary school principal to postal carrier supervisor, got a unique opportunity to see firsthand what Airmen do while performing their military duties during a drill weekend when the 94th Airlift Wing hosted Employer’s Day last month. The visit also served as an opportunity for Airmen to thank the employers and to let them know how important their support is to the Air Force Reserve men and women they employ. Col. Heath J. Nuckolls, 94th AW commander, welcomed employers to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. The group’s visit included a base tour; briefings about aerial port operations and explosive ordinance disposal operations and equipment; as well as a hands-on security forces equipment display. The highlight of the day was a flight on a C-130 Hercules, which included for most an opportunity to visit the cockpit while in flight. Nancy Anheier, a committee training coordinator with the Georgia state chapter of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), also met with the employers to present information about the organization and the services it provides. ESGR is the Department of Defense organization that promotes cooperation and understanding between Guard and Reserve component members and their civilian employers. ESGR also assists in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. The visit concluded with lunch at the Consolidated Club for the employers and the reservists who work for them as civilians. When Maj. Jean Youngblood, 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, isn’t performing her duties as a flight nurse, she works alongside registered nurse Bettie Cheek at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. Ms. Cheek said she was excited to have the chance to visit Major Youngblood and Dobbins. “I was most impressed with the teamwork I saw here,” said Ms. Cheek after walking through a C-130 Hercules with Major Youngblood. Onboard the aircraft Major Youngblood explained to Ms. Cheek the process in which aeromedical crews on-load and attend to patients. “From a nursing standpoint, it is just amazing when you consider the number of patients that can be on board and all the responsibilities the medical staff has,” she said. “And, they have such a small place to work in.” Ms. Cheek admitted that before her visit she had some initial nervousness that the “military bearing” of the Airmen she met would be very formal. “It’s been a good experience for me. Everyone made an effort to explain things in terms I understood. I really appreciate that.” For Paul Lindemann, a corporate counselor for BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina, the visit was very informative. Mr. Lindemann was invited to visit Dobbins by his coworker Senior Master Sgt. Ginger Hutcherson, 622nd Regional Support Group support specialist. He said that he was happy to visit the base. “It was especially fascinating to see how the C-130 operates,” said Mr. Lindemann. “BMW is a strong supporter of ESGR,” Mr. Lindemann said. “The Guard and Reserve are a very important part of our national defense. We sponsor several special days throughout the year for the family of our employees who are deployed. We try to do everything we can to offer our support.”
