ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Civic leaders from the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, visited Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 9, 2023.
The tour included 17 civic leaders and nine military members, including Col. David Fazenbaker, 62nd AW commander. The group came to see how AAFB molds mobility Airmen who may later join JBLM’s C-17 mission, as well as to see what JBLM Airmen who return to Altus for follow-on training experience.
Col. Blaine Baker, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, began the group’s tour with a mission brief. After the brief, the leaders had lunch at the Hangar 97 dining facility with 97th Training Squadron students who will later transition to JBLM, as well as AAFB permanent party members who had previously been stationed at JBLM.
After lunch concluded, the tour picked back up at the 97th TRS to show the team an overview of the squadron, learn about the base’s Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training (CRAFT) program, and how the squadron incorporates virtual reality training into student courses.
“We have been able to see what aircrew members go through here in order to help the mission at the 62nd,” said Jaimie Garrett, 62nd AW honorary commander. “Hearing about things like the CRAFT program and how [AAFB] is integrating technology and education for the future is amazing.”
The civic leaders also had the chance to take a more specific look at the training requirements provided through the 58th Airlift Squadron since C-17 aircrew members return to Altus throughout their careers for their various upgrade programs.
The final stop on the tour brought the civic leaders to the KC-46 Pegasus simulators to show them firsthand what it is like to transfer fuel to a C-17.
At the concluding social, 62 AW civic leaders had the opportunity to meet the 97th AMW civic leaders. Before departing, Baker gave a few closing comments.
“We get the absolute best from McChord,” said Baker speaking to the 62nd AW civic leaders. “They are the best in the world at what they do. We're proud of that and I'm sure you are, too.”