LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Four members of Team Lackland recently spent a day visiting with members of Congress as part of the wing commander Capitol Hill visit program.
Brig. Gen. Len Patrick, 37th Training Wing commander; Chief Master Sgt. Robert Rubio, superintendent of public health and 319th Training Squadron's body, mind and fitness coordinator; Capt. Robert Spouse, 37th TRW executive officer; and Senior Airman Matthew McGee, 37th Security Forces Squadron, traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with several legislators.
The group met with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas; Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas; and Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., who is a member of the House Armed Services committee and requested time with the Lackland delegation.
"It was very eye-opening and insightful," said Chief Rubio, who represented the senior NCOs. "It was great to see our government at work, and how receptive they were to what we had to say."
The Capitol Hill visit program was initiated in 1998 to put a local face on the Air Force's mission: to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace. It allows Congressional members to meet with wing commanders to discuss Air Force issues that are important to Congress and their respective constituents.
"I was very impressed with the congressmen and the senator that they took the time to meet with General Patrick and let him articulate the pertinent data for the wing," said Captain Sprouse, who represented the junior base officers. "All the congressional leaders were very interested in what was going on, what General Patrick had to say when it came to expressing what the wing was doing, and things we might need in the future."
Airman McGee, who is from San Antonio and represented base enlisted personnel, also returned with a new prospective on Congress.
"I thought it was wonderful," said Airman McGee. "It was a great opportunity to see how our government functions and express to members of Congress what's going on at Lackland, what we do for the community on and off base.
"It showed them we have the motivation to come all the way to Washington to tell them what it is we do, and they get to see us face-to-face rather than over the phone or e-mail. It's a lot more personable and there's open dialog."
Following the visit, the senator's office sent out the following press release via e-mail:
"Lackland Air Force Base is home to thousands of our brave Airmen and the largest training wing in the Air Force. I'm so proud of General Patrick's hard work, and that of all the other Air Force personnel at Lackland. They do so much not only to help the San Antonio region but to keep Americans safe here and abroad."