Local business leaders get glimpse into Army and Air Force Reserve life

By Sgt. Yvonne C. Vairma, 361st Public Affairs Operations CenterAugust 28, 2009

Local business leaders get glimpse into Army and Air Force Reserve life
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the Honorary Commanders Association are escorted aboard a U.S. Air Force Reserve C130 as part of an HCA trip from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Curtis Bay, Md., Aug. 13. The Honorary Commanders Association is a community outreach organization in co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Local business leaders get glimpse into Army and Air Force Reserve life
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Sgt. John C. Highfield (right), 949th Transportation Company first sergeant, Curtis Bay, Md., explains the daily duties of Soldiers who work in the engine room during a tour of the LSV 8 "MG Robert Smalls." The tour was part of a visit from the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Local business leaders get glimpse into Army and Air Force Reserve life
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Honorary Commanders Association members await await departure from Pittsburgh within a C-130. From left to right: Daniel G. Fazio, managing editor, Victory Media, Inc., Col. Mark Van Kooten, maintenance group commander, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Sal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Local business leaders get glimpse into Army and Air Force Reserve life
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Civilian and military members of the Honorary Commanders Association receive a tour of the vessels of the 949th Transportation Company, Curtis Bay, Md., U.S. Army Reserve Aug. 13. The Honorary Commanders Association is a community outreach organizat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Local business leaders get glimpse into Army and Air Force Reserve life
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Jon Seeley, (left) senior vice president, Multi Print Media, and Dean S. Hastings, (right) president, Multi Print Media, ride along in the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force Reserve C130 from the 911th Airlift Wing, Coraopolis, Pa. The ride was part of an H... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. - With more than 200,000 Americans serving in the Army Reserve, and more than 75,000 serving in the Air Force Reserve, many civilian employers are regularly impacted by those within their workforce who have simultaneous military obligations. Few of these employers have an opportunity to see the other world in which their Citizen-Soldiers work.

That opportunity was given to 15 local leaders of 11 area businesses Aug. 13, as part of the 2009 Honorary Commanders Association. The HCA is an organization formed in cooperation between the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (U.S. Army Reserve), the 911th Airlift Wing (U.S. Air Force Reserve), and the 171st Air Refueling Wing (U.S. Air Force Reserve).

Through this cooperation, the local employers were flown on a day trip via an Air Force C-130 to Curtis Bay, Md., where they visited the 949th Transportation Company. The 949th is an Army Reserve transportation company that specializes in watercraft, both for harbor and ocean operations.

"It was extremely eye-opening," said Richard Dixon of the Pittsburgh Rotary Club. "Having spent four years in the U.S. Navy back in the late 50's, early 60's, I had no idea that the Army actually had ships. By the way, they call them 'boats' but we still call them ships. It was a wonderful experience. Being an Honorary Commander is something special for me."

Participants saw six Army vessels and toured the 949th's Large Tug 803, the MG Anthony Wayne. The 203rd Transportation Company, a neighboring watercraft unit, hosted lunch aboard their vessel, the LSV 8, MG Robert Smalls, which the guests also toured. Each tour provided HCA members a glimpse into the types of skills Army Reserve Soldiers during battle assembly weekends.

"Every leg of the journey was a learning experience, a hands-on experience," said Sally Haas, president, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.

"I would have thought, before I started this program, that I had a pretty healthy respect for the men and women in our armed services," said Kyle Fisher, chief marketing and public relations officer, Robert Morris University. "I have to say that after two experiences in the Honorary Commander organization, I've been educated, I've been moved, I've been entertained, and mostly I've been impressed and inspired by what I've learned... I would recommend it for other citizens. We need to understand what this important part of our culture is all about and why we should be so grateful."

The businesses represented by the Aug. 13 attendees were: CH2M Hill Inc.; Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh Airport.; Michael Baker Jr., Inc.; Mountain State University, Multi Print Media Inc.; P.B.S. & J.; Pepper Hamilton Llp.; Riverset Credit Union; Robert Morris University; Take Care Health Systems, and Victory Media Inc.

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