Operation Partnership

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ned T. Johnston
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Twenty-five local civic leaders were invited to pair with 25 base members for a day-long base tour and on-the-job experience at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 13, 2013.

Operation Partnership kicked off bright and early at the Surfs Edge restaurant, where breakfast was served and keynote speaker Col. Scott DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, spoke on the importance of the day.

"It's been a few years since we've had one of these days," commented DeThomas. "I'd like to start these days again to combine MacDill and the surrounding communities into one Tampa Bay community."

After breakfast was served, the group headed out to the flight line for the viewing and walk through of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

"This has got to be the coolest thing ever," exclaimed Ray Sierra, USAA insurance manager, as he sat behind the wheel in the cockpit of a KC-135.

From the flight line, everyone headed to the 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog flight for a walk through of the facility and a demonstration of the dogs capabilities.

Each of the 25 civic leaders then broke off with their respective military member to visit the service member's work station.

The last stop of the day was the Davis Conference Center to recap the events that had happened.

"This day was incredibly helpful," exclaimed Peggy Steele, Tampa Electric Company manager of recruitment and staff. "It has definitely started to bridge the gap between the military and civilians, and will help me a ton where I work. I can't wait for the next time this happens."