News

Honorary commanders get a tour from Team Dover 'Port Dawgs', wrench turners

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 20 Honorary Commanders assigned to the 512th and 436th Airlift Wings took part in a Team Dover maintenance group tour here, April 24.

The assembly of civilian members began their event by meeting key players in the maintenance mission and enjoying welcoming remarks from Col. Richard G. Moore Jr., 436th Airlift Wing commander, before receiving an overview and mission brief from maintenance group senior leadership.

Moore said that Dover Air Force Base boasts a great group of people and he looked forward to showcasing the amazing work the base's Airmen do every day.

With a walking tour that initiated in the Dover AFB aerial port, attendees saw the capacity of the Super Port, as well as the various specialized sections it contains. The group also got a sample of the "Port Dawg" operation by participating in a hands-on contest to see which group could create a palate that met particular shape specifications.

"I just can't believe the sheer volume of cargo that goes through the aerial port here," said Jo Schmeiser, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford executive director. "This is a lot of fun, but it's also a real eye-opening experience."

The group continued their journey by traveling to the isochronical inspection dock on base. Once at the dock, they donned hard hats and the troupe toured a C-5 Galaxy from tire to tail via scaffolding. While descending up the six-story-high bird, 436th Maintenance Group representatives guided the group along, explaining their mission and answering questions.

"Some of the facts we're learning are amazing," said Cristal Brenneman, Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce executive assistant to the director of special events. "There are so many different specializations in each area."

The group was not only interested in the mission, but the Airmen themselves.

The fact that service members stationed at Dover AFB originate from all over the United States is an interesting dynamic of the military, said Beth Miller, Morris James LLP lawyer and 512th security forces squadron honorary commander.

Afterwards the band was shuttled to the flightline where they were able to see and enter a C-17 Globemaster and a C-5 Galaxy aircraft. Participants were escorted onto the flight decks and throughout the cargo aircraft. Additionally, members helped perform a tire change during the event.

"I like that we're really getting a sense of what's going on here every day," said Scott McNary, Procter & Gamble plant manager, who participated in the tire change. "We're all grateful for what (Air Force members) do. It's humbling to be a part of it and see it up close. Anyway, when will I ever get a chance to change a tire that big again?"

Finally, the group toured to the 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 3, where 1st Lt. Pete Kingsley, the detachment's commander, welcomed the tour and ushered the group to multiple areas of training equipment. Participants viewed the instruments that educate the maintainers of the world's greatest air force, experiencing the most modern equipment for Air Force maintenance instruction.

"I think what we really can take from this today is that we can put a face to the word (Airman)," said Miller. "Now, when we hear the word 'military' we see what, or who, that really means."