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JBSA News
NEWS | Dec. 10, 2015

Alamo Wing honorary commanders visit medical and operation units

433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Ten 433rd Airlift Wing honorary commanders learned about the missions of the 433rd Medical Group and 433rd Operations Group here Dec. 5.


The tour began with a welcome, overview and briefi ng by both group commanders; Col. Ernest Vasquez, 433rd MDG commander, and Col. Lee Merkle, 433rd OG commander.


“We are excited to showcase what the men and women of our groups do here in the Alamo Wing,” said Vasquez. “These amazing Airmen are members of the San Antonio community who volunteer to serve their country and do it proudly.”


The first stop for the Honorary Commanders, who are infl uential members of the local community, was a tour of the 433rd MDG’s mission that primarily takes place at the historic Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center.


They toured many of the areas 433rd AW Airmen have to visit when in-processing to the unit or conducting their annual physicals. They visited numerous places from the optometry office, immunizations, dental and where Airmen have their blood drawn.


“It’s really amazing to see the dedication and passion these Airmen have for their work in the Air Force Reserves,” said Dr. Michael Jolla, 26th Aerial Port Squadron honorary commander and pastor at West End Baptist Church. “One of the really interesting things to fi nd out is many of these medics work in the same or similar career field in their civilian jobs, which gives them an incredible amount of experience.”


Before breaking for lunch, the honorary commanders received an extensive briefing from members of the 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team. The briefers, led by Maj. Dana Meyer and Tech. Sgt. James Bayless, talked about the equipment they use and the types of missions conducted when transporting wounded battlefield service members.


“To know these Airmen can set up a make-shift hospital on an aircraft that’s flying at 30,000 feet and get a patient from the Middle East all the way to the states without stopping is truly unbelievable,” said Dick Holmberg, the 433rd Logistics Readiness Squadron honorary commander and president of Singing Water Vineyards.


After a quick lunch, the honorary commanders visited the C-5 Galaxy simulators to test their skills sitting in the pilot’s seat and taking off, flying and landing the Air Force’s largest aircraft. The simulators are designed to replicate the exact controls, movement and feeling as one would expect if actually flying in the skies.


“I can’t explain how it works, but my stomach sunk when taking off and I knew in my head I wasn’t flying but it was difficult to convince my body I wasn’t,” said John Smith, 433rd Security Forces Squadron honorary commander and immigration officer with the Department of Homeland Security. “That was a memorable experience that I will never forget.”


The Honorary Commanders Program was developed to encourage an exchange of ideas, share experiences and foster friendships between key members of the local civilian community and the Joint Base San Antonio military community. The program provides a unique opportunity for San Antonio area community leaders to shadow the 433rd AW, group and squadron commanders.


For more information about the Alamo Wing’s Honorary Commander’s program, contact the 433rd AW Public Affairs offi ce at (210) 925-5194.