910th, Ohio Guard, ESGR team up for employer awareness event

by Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.
910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office

8/21/2014 - YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The Air Force Reserve's 910th Airlift Wing here, the Ohio National Guard and Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve co-presented the 2nd Annual Joint Employer Awareness Event, August 7- 8.

The two-day event, designed to give civilian employers of Air Force Reservists and Ohio National Guardsmen a better understanding of the mission their employees carry out as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, also gave attendees the opportunity to get an up-close look at both the 910th's facilities and the Ohio National Guard's Joint Military Training Center, located at nearby Camp Ravenna, Ohio.

During the two-day event, event attendees observed 910th Civil Engineer Fire Department training at the YARS fire training facility, viewed 910th Security Forces and Marine Reserve equipment displays, witnessed an aircraft cargo on-load of the unit's unique Modular Aerial Spray System, walked through a C-130 and toured several shops on the air station. The day culminated with the group watching as a 757th Airlift Squadron aircrew, in one of the 910th's C-130 Hercules aircraft, roared over a nearby target area at 200 miles per hour at 150 feet above the ground to perform an aerial spray training flight.

The next day the itinerary included visits to various Ohio National Guard training sites at Camp Ravenna including hands-on weapons simulators, a Humvee roll over training vehicle, an Improvised Explosive Device recognition course and a state-of-the-art urban combat "shoot" house. The event also included complimentary meals and lodging at the YARS Eagle's Nest Lodge for the attendees. Soon after the two-day itinerary concluded, a participant commented on the impression the event left on him.

"Thanks to everyone involved with this event. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to attend. It was a real eye opener. The facility(ies) and men and women who operate (them) are outstanding," said Mike Kinter, an employer with the Belmont County Human Resources Department.