Civilian Leaders Visit NE 08

  • Published
  • By Brian P. Lepley
  • Elmendorf Joint Information Bureau
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE --  How do you get numerous high-powered Anchorage business people to abandon their jobs for half a day?
Stick time in the F-15 simulator and a chance to stand next to and examine the F-22 Raptor usually works.
The Northern Edge 08 Distinguished Visitor tour was May 7 here as 3rd Wing commander Brig. Gen. Thomas Tinsley hosted 18 guests from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Besides the F-15 and AWACS simulators, the group got Northern Edge and Red Flag Alaska briefings and visited a static display of the F-22 and an F-15.
Business and community leaders are invited since they interact with a broad spectrum of other Anchorage civilians, enabling them to share their experience on the DV tour.
For Mike Felix, CEO of AT&T Alascom, it's easy to make time for the NE DV day.
"This is my third time on this tour and it's always fascinating," he said. "I like to learn and each time I learn a little bit more. And I love to support the military."
The integration of the force necessary in Northern Edge impressed Felix.
"I was really struck by the complexity," he said. "In our briefing we got a glimpse of everything that was deployed for Northern Edge and I was struck by how all encompassing it is for all the services."
Even though Northern Edge takes place across the state and the Gulf of Alaska, the activity level at Alaska's military installations increases. One of the DV tour's purposes is outreach to civilians who can see that activity but don't know why it's happening.
"We want people from around the area to see what we're doing at this joint exercise," said Maj. Todd Cotsman, 3rd Wing Protocol chief. "NE does generate a lot of activity around the base so it's good for people to know what's going on."
Felix's father was a Marine and the family lived in Oak Harbor, Wash., home of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, so the AT&T executive grew up with respect for the military.
"This is the best town I've been in for not only the military impact but the relationship between the military and the civilians," Felix said. "My hat's really off to the military here; you guys go above and beyond to welcome us and let us know what you're doing here."