Altus Air Force Base News

 

Altus hosts 34th annual Farm-City tour

  • Published
  • By Kenny Scarle
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Altus community members received an opportunity to see a behind the scenes look at Altus Air Force Base Nov. 10, 2011, as part of the 34th annual Farm-City tour.

This week-long, cooperative event highlighted the importance of agriculture and the exceptional partnership between Altus AFB and the city of Altus. This year's theme was "Farming, Flying and Community - the Pillars of Southwest Oklahoma" and hosted a day-long tour off base for military members and a second day for civilians on base.

The local farming community first opened its doors to Altus Airmen showcasing the Humphrey's Coop Gin, Altus Peanut Warehouse, local farming operations and the Altus Lugert Irrigation District. The next day, the base returned the favor.

Community members enjoyed a morning wing mission brief and a welcome from Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander before beginning the tour.

"I was very happy to see that our community partners afforded us an opportunity to showcase what Altus Air Force Base is all about," said Col. Krawietz. "We receive so much from our community, it is just a pleasure to share our story with them."

The group then moved onto the flight line and explored the KC-135 Stratotanker and the C-17 Globemaster III. Members from the 58th Airlift Squadron and the 54th Aerial Refueling Squadron gave an extensive tour of both aircraft while explaining the importance of the training conducted at Altus AFB.

"I felt it was very educational and showed us one-on-one, the importance the base has for our community and the entire country," said Mary Esparza, News Director for Monarch Broadcasting.

In addition to a biological and chemical suit demonstration by the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron and a security control demonstration by the 97th Security Forces Squadron, the group also learned about airdrop missions from the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Aerial Operations Flight.

"It was incredible to learn how the Airmen can drop supplies from an airplane directly to a target the size of a dinner table," Esparza said. "It just puts it all into perspective how the training and hard work goes together to accomplish these things."

The 97th Operations Support Squadron was the final stop of the tour where the group learned how Airmen help aircrews by ensuring all the flight equipment such as flight helmets, oxygen masks, parachutes and survival kits are in proper working order.

"I particularly enjoyed this part of the tour," said Bonnie McAskill, director of public relations and marketing for Jackson County Memorial Hospital. "It gave me a chance to get an up-close look at the base - not just the planes and other obvious things you see every day, but the other parts of the job which saves lives."

Participants were also invited to use night vision goggles and sample the Meals Ready to Eat in order to get another taste of what Airmen face downrange. McAskill said this was a great experience and was glad she got to participate.

"I think it really is neat that we do this every year," McAskill said. "They are two very different industries, farming and flying, but both are very much needed by every citizen in the nation. One certainly cannot survive without the other."