An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | June 17, 2017

Boss Lift provides sky-high look at Alamo Wing mission

By Senior Airman Bryan Swink 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Twenty-eight civilian employers of 433rd Airlift Wing Airmen were provided an opportunity to experience the Alamo Wing’s mission from the sky in a C-5M Super Galaxy June 10 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The Boss Lift, which is sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve component service members and their civilian employers.

“I jumped at the opportunity to go on this flight when invited by my employee,” said Andrew Sears, a director of operations at a San Antonio-based Chic-fil-A and sponsored by Capt. Percy Luecke, 68th Airlift Squadron. “Not only is a great opportunity to experience what type of mission goes on here, but it hits close to home for me as my father was an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War.”

After the mission and pre-flight briefings, the guests received a tour of the C-5M and departed shortly after to experience a military flight firsthand.

The flight departed here heading south to Corpus Christi and then following the coast line down to Brownsville before circling back and following the path back to base.

”This has been such an amazing experience,” said Ray Freitas, a lieutenant with the San Antonio Fire Department and sponsored by 1st. Lt. Randell Smith, 433rd Civil Engineer Squardon. “Getting the chance sit in the cockpit and interact with the pilots and see what they get to see when they serve our country is an opportunity of a lifetime. Even though most of these Airmen only serve as weekend warriors, you wouldn’t be able to tell because they conduct themselves like they do this every day.”

After a catered lunch and viewing multiple unit static displays, Caryl Hill, Texas ESGR, Area 4, San Antonio chair, informed the guests on how important it is for employers and Reserve members to know their rights and responsibilities.

“We know it can put great strain on you as the employer if you have a Reserve member get called on orders and are gone for any amount of time,” said Hill, speaking to the guests. “We want to be a resource for you and help both the employee and the employer work through or clarify any issues which may arise.”

The importance of the event was also echoed by Col. Thomas K. Smith, Jr., 433rd AW commander.

"The Boss Lift is crucial to showcase our mission to our civilian leaders, so they can see what their sacrifices of human capital support," said the commander. "Our Citizen Airmen are the civilian leader's personnel and the full understanding of the military profession component of the reservists career is extremely important.  Simply, we can't do our mission without the full support of our civilian companies/leaders."

For information regarding the ESGR, visit
http://esgr.mil.