Team Indiana Bosslift gives employers military overview

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  From billows of smoke to billowy clouds, employers from Indiana and beyond got into the trenches and high above the Earth for a glimpse of military life.

Fifty-two employers visited Grissom Aug. 7-8, 2015 for an employer orientation experience designed to show them just what military members do when they are away from their civilian jobs.

Joining the 434th Air Refueling Wing on the 'Team Indiana Bosslift' were the 122nd Fighter Wing, in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the 181st Intelligence Wing, Terre Haute, Ind., - both part of the Indiana Air National Guard.

Geoff Ginzel, an employer from Peoria Illinois was one of the members who participated in the event.

"I knew what Bob (Lt. Col. Robert Horkavi, 434th Operations Support Squadron intelligence officer) did but being able to see the value of what he does to the overall security of our nation was an incredible opportunity," said Ginzel.

"The professionalism and dedication shown by the military members made me realize we are in good hands," he said. "The involvement of all the commanders and the generals that were there just really showed how important this was to them."

Employers from the 434th ARW and the 181st Intelligence Wing kicked off the event with a tour of the Army Reserve Center where they witnessed realistic combat lifesaving training, and had an opportunity to handle weapons and see the equipment the soldiers use in battlefield environments.

Afterwards, they learned about the duties and capabilities of 434th Civil Engineer Squadron's explosive ordnance disposal unit. EOD technicians broke out their gear to show the group, allowing employers to try on the protective suit and even try their hand at driving the motorized robot.

Later that evening, leadership from all the participating units had the opportunity to provide an overview of their units' during a special dinner catered by the dining facility.

"We have incredible Airmen serving here at Grissom as well as Fort Wayne and Terre Haute," said Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. "It's important for us to share the great things they do with their employers. Having their employer supporting them benefits us all."

After spending the night, employers took off on a three-ship formation to refuel both A-10 Warthogs as well as a C-17 Globemaster.

"We wanted to give them the experience of seeing both types of refueling missions," Schwartz said. "Having the A-10s from the 122nd FW certainly made the first part easy."

Following the mission, employers met briefly to wrap up and were presented 'Honorary Aircrew' certificates to commemorate their day at Grissom.

Hal Job, 434th ARW honorary commander, was already familiar with the base, but was able to interact and share experiences with both employers and military members.

"I was impressed with the number of Guard and Reserve employers who were willing to spend the time to better understand the important role their employees have in the defense of our nation," Job said. "The comments I heard from several employers made me believe they were leaving Grissom with a new or renewed respect for their employees."

The event was done in conjunction with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Also attending were Maj. Gen. Courtney Carr, Indiana's Adjutant General, and Maj. Gen. David Wood, 38th Infantry Division commander, and Steve Lynch, chairman of the Indiana ESGR.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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