Civic leaders get immersed in Air Force training

  • Published
  • Air Education and Training Command
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., commander, Air Education and Training Command, hosted civic leaders from across the command to observe air, space and cyberspace training here March 19 -21.

Michael Hainsey and Lynn Robinson, representatives for Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., along with 21 other members of the AETC Commander's Group, participated in command briefings on force structure and the budget reduction impact on the command.  They also visited training squadrons to see pilot and remotely piloted aircraft training.

At Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston on their second day, they visited the Medical and Education Training Campus and learned how the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment, or BRAC, process resulted in positive results for enlisted medical training. 
Instead of a number of locations, all services now come to METC and train in the joint environment before entering the fight. For the Air Force component, the group visited one of the newest Air Force dormitories, complete with high security measures. Of the daily average 7,000 METC students, more than 1,650 are Airmen.

The group then went to 24th Air Force and the AF Cyberspace Information Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to learn how Airmen train and fight against cyber threats. These Airmen use specialized capabilities to defend the Air Force communications network and the Global Information Grid.

The AETC Commander's Group is composed of one or two civilian leaders from each community surrounding a major AETC wing or group across the nation. Hainsey has been a representative since 2010, and Robinson is a newly appointed member. Members engage with senior AETC leaders and Airmen throughout their term to help them better understand the missions of Air Force men and women serving in their communities.