PACAF civic leaders visits Elmendorf

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Conner
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  As part of a tour of the Pacific's "Strategic Triangle," a civic leader tour, hosted by Gen. Howie Chandler, Pacific Air Forces commander, spent about two days at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, earlier this week.

The general and 22 civic leaders from Hawaii, Alaska and Guam toured the 3rd Wing's Air Traffic Control tower and Combat Alert Cell June 23 amidst massive Exercise Northern Edge aircraft launches. The ongoing exercise showcased the wing's unique and diverse flying mission, which includes five different types of aircraft.

The Fire Department, Security Forces, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Emergency Management and Life Support shop were all on hand to present various facets of their specialty.

"Getting to see Airmen and the Air Force mission first hand is really a thrill. I wish all Americans could get the same inside view of the professionalism and exacting standards of the men and women who are here at Elmendorf guarding our nation," said Sami Glascott, president of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.

Glascott also said the five-day trip is providing a great networking opportunity for civic leaders who support the Air Force across the "Strategic Triangle" Pacific bases in Hawaii, Alaska and Guam.

"These are men and women who are influential leaders in their communities - key links to telling our story to American taxpayers," said Col. Ed Thomas, PACAF director of Public Affairs. "They'll be tired at the end of this five-day trip, but I'm confident that they'll leave with a sense of excitement and a depth of understanding of what we bring to the nation."

The visiting group also enjoyed lunch at the Iditarod dining facility before touring the bases' newest Airmen's dorm and fitness center.

The Elmendorf hospital hosted the group in the early afternoon, showcasing the operations that have earned them the title of best hospital in the Air Force for two consecutive years.

The tour concluded by allowing the group to test their flying skills in the C-17, F-15 and E-3 simulators.

"This tour gave us the opportunity to show a very distinguished group of key civilians the awesome capabilities resident at Elmendorf AFB and the Air Force, while also allowing us to thank them for their unyielding support of the military," said Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander. "They left here much more knowledgeable about the mission of the 3rd Wing, and they were all extremely impressed by the quality of the Arctic Warrior Airmen."

The Civic Leader Tour continues throughout the rest of the week with stops at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.