Joint Civilian Orientation Conference experience Andersen's mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angelique Smythe
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  During their tour of U.S. military bases throughout the Pacific, approximately 70 participants of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference received a hands-on course covering Andersen's various missions Nov. 6.

"This was a great opportunity for Andersen to not only show what we do here as the 36th Wing but to demonstrate first hand the Air Force's expeditionary mission," said Brig. Gen. Doug Owens, 36th Wing commander. "They got to see a little bit of everything and that we're doing more than just flying airplanes. We are performing lots of missions that put our people at risk. And we gave them an opportunity to experience some of that first hand -- from bomb building to convoy duty and mass casualty exercises. Some of them even had the opportunity to do some heavy equipment operating...so it was a great day for them."

According to the official JCOC website, JCOC is a Secretary of Defense sponsored program for America's leaders interested in expanding their knowledge of the military and national defense. JCOC is the oldest existing Pentagon outreach program and has been held more than 73 times since its inception in 1948.

"Our visit today allowed us to become more familiar with the varied and excellent work of the Air Force in the Western Pacific and its mission as a forward operating base in protecting us from a variety of threats and other possible acts of terror," said Pamela Iles, a judge in Orange County, Calif. "From what I've seen today, it's amazing! This is a group of terrifically committed and energetic courageous group of Americans who are just inspiring. And their commitment to the job and their country is just overwhelming."

By the end of the day, Judge Iles said she could not remember everything they did throughout the day, as there were so many activities; "the experience was so multi-faceted". But she enjoyed going out with the 554th RED HORSE team to tour the Expeditionary Training Campus and learn about their construction projects on Northwest Field.

"They [554th RED HORSE] allowed us to work some of the equipment, which was a lot of fun for us," she said. "They were most generous with their time and energy to make us feel comfortable and understand their mission."

Another JCOC participant, Fassil Gabremariam, president and founder of the U.S.-Africa Free Enterprise Education Foundation, said the best part of his day was being in the turret of a Humvee. Participants donned helmets, flack vest and mock weapons and were tasked to perform convoy duty to escort injured patients to a helicopter landing zone.

"I was right in the center of it, and that was quite an experience I'll never forget," he said. "It looks easy when you see at it from the outside. But when I got in, tried to put my head up and stand very straight with all the heavy equipment, I started to visualize the young men and women who are in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else with all their heavy gear. And I wasn't even wearing half the gear you guys wear.

"Looking out and imagining the possible IEDs [improvised explosive devices] and someone else shooting at us, I was just visualizing and saying, 'Oh my God, this is what our young men and women do everyday.' I think it was an awakening for me. It was an honor to be able to do that."

Mr. Gabremariam said he has never had any type of military experience but has always admired the discipline, integrity, training and all the best qualities it brings into young people's lives.

Judge Iles said her connection to the military grew out of a desire to help returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan reintegrate with their families in their communities more easily.

Being geographically close to a Marine Corps base, she chose to work with a joint civilian and military program called Heroes and Healthy Families. The expertise of the military and resources from the civilian community are used to support the servicemembers' return from combat and reintegration with the family.

Having no experience with the Air Force, Judge Iles, too, was really amazed at the level of proficiency, excellence and commitment she saw in the Airmen. And she said everyone she spoke to had a real passion for their job and country.

"It greatly honors me that they serve our nation," she said.

The day-long tour of Andersen concluded ended with a group photo in front of a B-2 Spirit static display on the flightline. The group also presented an "America Supports You" banner to General Owens signed by all the participants.

"I think the two most valuable things that I'll walk away with from today's visit are how Guam is becoming a very important place for the U.S. military in the Pacific," said Mr. Gabremariam. "I like the way General Owens put it in saying that it's going to be a standing island owned by the United States, not a standing aircraft carrier. That is reinforced by the fact that it is so close to the Asian continent and so close to all the other areas in the world makes it such a very important area.

"I also will take away from this is there is a concern upon the part of the general and others on what type of support we are going to be supplying on the civilian side of the island's population to develop the economy to help them become more compatible with the military."

Over the next week participants will visit the Philippines, Japan and where they will see first-hand the efforts of servicemembers in each of the five services working in the U.S. Pacific Command.