GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Indiana’s Airmen regularly connect in Hoosier skies offloading fuel and training to fight, but they recently joined up for another mission – to educate employers.
More than sixty employers visited Grissom Aug 23-24, 2018 for an employer orientation experience sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The event gives employers an inside look at what their Guard and Reservist employees do when they are away from their civilian jobs.
The ESGR is a Department of Defense program established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between reserve component service members and their civilian employers. They also assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.
Joining the 434th Air Refueling Wing on ‘Team Indiana Bosslift’ were the Indiana Air National Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the 181st Intelligence Wing, Terre Haute, Indiana.
“It’s always a pleasure to work with our counterparts in Fort Wayne and Terre Haute,” said Douglas Hays, 434th Air Refueling Wing public affairs operations chief. “It’s a great thing that we’re able to come together with ESGR and make this a successful program year after year.”
Jumpstarting the two-day educational experience, employers of 434th ARW Airmen, along with those nominated from around the Hoosier state by the ESGR, toured Grissom and its tenant units while employers of 122nd FW Airmen and employers of 181st IW each toured their bases respectively.
“This is a great opportunity for employers to see what their member does when they are away from their civilian job,” said Hays. “Having that knowledge will hopefully make it better when Airmen need to ask for time off to support operations or training.”
After base tours, the three groups met in the Grissom dinning facility for social hour, immediately followed by dinner and a briefing by Col. Brian Hollis, 434th Operations Group commander. Additionally, employers were educated about the rules and responsibilities they and their employees have.
Topping off the event, employers took to the skies aboard three KC-135R Stratotankers. The three-ship formation headed to an air refueling track in the Midwest where employers were able to witness the aerial refueling of the A-10 Warthog and a B-52 Stratofortress.
“Everything that we’ve done the last two days has been top-notch,” said Milan Vlha, a participant for the ESGR boss lift. “It’s been a very awesome experience and an honor to witness firsthand everything that the reservists do for our country.”
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
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