FORT CARSON, Colo.---Twenty-three nominees for Air Force Space Command's Outstanding Airmen of the Year left Fort Carson April 8 with a greater understanding of their sister service.
The command's best of 2009 got a taste of Army life at the Mountain Post during a visit which included a 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) briefing and equipment display, a "hands-on" experience with the virtual reality convoy simulator, lunch at the Raider Dining Facility and concluded with an Army noncommissioned officer cross talk.
The goal of the professional development visit was simply to familiarize the Airmen with the missions and training of fellow servicemembers, said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Melissa Jackson, tour coordinator from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.
"Being in (Air Force) Space Command we don't get to work with (Soldiers) that often," she said. "Fort Carson is such a large base with an important mission. We wanted to see what they do and learn a little more about the Army."
After welcoming the Airmen to Fort Carson, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. James A. Kilpatrick spoke of the importance for the Army to build camaraderie with the Air Force.
"We fight joint now," he said. "We should come together when we're not in war so we can share the way we live, fight and train ... it's a good experience for everyone."
Following the Special Forces visit and a trip through the convoy simulator, Air Force Senior Airman Desiree Lozano, Brooks City-Base, Texas, said she was amazed with what she saw.
"I have a lot of respect for the Army. They're really the ones out there in the field doing the dirty work," said Lozano. "I admire what they do and respect them."
Despite deploying with a New Jersey Army National Guard unit and completing combat skill training at Joint Base Lewis-McCloud, Wash., Lozano was a bit awestruck by her experience at Fort Carson.
"The stuff (Special Forces does) is pretty amazing," she said.
And the convoy simulator provided an appreciation for possible challenges troops in a convoy may face.
"I've never went out on a convoy, but (the simulator) gives you better awareness of what they deal with on a daily basis when they go outside the wire," Lozano said.
After 22 years of service, Air Force Senior Master Sgt. James Langner, Offutt AFB, Neb., said the visit provided insight into his sister service.
"As Air Force people, we are seeing another side of the fight ... gaining a respect for what (the Army does)," he said.
Noting the technology advancements, such as the convoy simulator, Langner said, "We are setting our troops up for success as they go into the (area of responsibility), which is huge."
AFSPC announced its five Airmen of the Year winners at a banquet April 9. Command winners go on to compete at the Air Force-level for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards to be announced this summer.
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