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Blasting away honorary commanders tour 434th MSG

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Taking down targets in a virtual firing range or blasting away with a huge water cannon at a raging aircraft fire is not something most people get to do in a single day, unless they're an honorary commander.

Four of Grissom's five honorary commanders came to the base to fire away as they learned more about the Grissom's mission and impact on the community during a special tour showcasing the 434th Mission Support Group recently.

The 434th MSG is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Because of this, Grissom Airmen are frequently called upon to provide aerial refueling around the world to U.S. and allied fighter, bomber and cargo aircraft.

But, Grissom's impact also hits close to home as the Grissom's fire department, part of the 434th MSG, provides critical support to the local community, averaging six life saving events each year.

During their tour John Gilpin, Hal Job, Rocky Walls and John Stackhouse were able to witness first-hand what the 434th MSG Airmen do each day.

The group first ventured to the firearms training simulator where they were able to put their hands on everything from an M-9 pistol to an M-240B machine gun. After a brief instruction from Staff Sgt. Timothy Boggs, 434th Security Forces Squadron fire team member, the honorary commanders put their shooting skills to the test, taking down one target after another.

"It was neat because one I felt safer, but yet it was still a real gun," said Walls. "I was competing with the other honorary commanders, and that competitive spirit added to the fun."

Job, a Navy veteran, even learned a better method of lining up pistol sights during the demonstration.

"That was really one of the best things I've seen in how to handle the (sighting)," explained Job, who added he surprised himself with how well he shot. "I kept thinking 'they've got this thing rigged.'"

Not only was the firearms training not rigged, nothing else was either as the honorary commanders got to experience what 434th MSG Airmen get to experience every day, especially when they went to the aircraft fire simulator.

"It brings it all down to how real it really is," said Job about being inside one of Grissom's large fire trucks, putting out a simulated aircraft fire with a top-mounted water cannon. "You could feel the heat right away, and we were inside the cab, so you know how hot it was outside."

Walls was particularly fond of the aircraft fire simulator as it gave him family bragging rights.

"One of my nephews, who's a firefighter, was totally jealous because he's never even seen one of those before," he explained.

But the day wasn't just about having fun, it was about the learning and sharing of Grissom's importance to the Air Force Reserve mission and to the local community.

"It was totally beyond what I expected," said Walls.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer