This month in Dobbins History: German Air Force visits Dobbins in 1986 Published April 24, 2014 By Lt. Col. Roland O. Reed 94th Tactical Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Lt. Gen. Paul T. Sommerhoff, chief of the General Air Force Office of the German Air Force and a staff of four were guests of Maj. Gen. Sloan R. Gill, chief of the Air Force Reserve and Brig. Gen. William Basnett, 94th Tactical Airlift Wing commander, during a fact finding tour in Feb. 1986. The Germans were interested in developing a reserve component to supplement their active air force and were studying our organization, methods of operations and manning as a possible model. General Gill arranged to show the German team how our Reserve force is organized, manned and operated with visits to fighter and tanker units at Dobbins, Hill and March Air Force Bases. The 94th TAW visit was hosted by Basnett. Included were briefings about Dobbins, the 700th Tactical Airlift Squadron, and the 94th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Basnett welcomed the German officers to Atlanta, the 94th TAW and Dobbins in their native language. They responded with a hearty thank you in English. Highlights of the discussions were introductions and comments by Reservists explaining how they are able to fit reserve training into their already busy schedules. Speakers included Maj. Dave Grant, 94th CAMS commander, Maj. Neil Moulton, 700th TAS navigator, Tech. Sgt. George Frazier, 700th TAS flight engineer and Lt. Col. Jim Giles, 700th TAS pilot. A typical southern lunch of fried chicken, black-eyed peas, collard greens, "real" mashed potatoes, green beans with ham hocks and all the trimmings, was served to our guests. Originally published in the Dobbins Air Force Base "Minuteman" April 1986
