Civic leader tour enhances civilians' understanding Published Jan. 19, 2007 By Capt Heather Kekic Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Thirty local community leaders got a closer look at how the Air Force works, thanks to a civic leader tour Sept. 9 and 10. The tour increases U.S. citizens' awareness and understanding of the Air Force's role in national security by inviting groups of community leaders to witness the Air Force mission by visiting Air Force installations. "The group consisted of a cross section of representatives from Enid, Stillwater, Oklahoma City and Tonkawa and included business owners, educators, media and prominent community leadership," said Bob Farrell, public affairs chief of community relations. Departing Vance AFB via KC-135R Stratotanker from Altus AFB, the tour participants headed to Moody AFB, Ga., and Little Rock AFB, Ark. While at Moody AFB, the group was treated to their very own air show as the lead demonstration pilot for the East Coast T-6A Texan Aerial Demonstration Team showed just how powerful and quiet the T-6A is. The T-6A Texan II trainer will replace the T-37 at Vance AFB, with the first class beginning training with it in May 2005. Moody AFB is home to the Air Force's only active-duty combat search and rescue wing. The wing has combat-ready HC-60s and HH-60s as well as an elite squadron of pararescue personnel. The group also received briefings on the 347th Rescue Wing, 479th Flying Training Group, toured three flying training squadrons including static displays and sunshades, finally concluding their base tour by flying T-6A and T-38 flight simulators. The group stayed the night at Moody AFB and departed for Little Rock AFB Sept. 10. While at Little Rock AFB the group processed through the same mobility processing line the military men and women who deploy out of Little Rock AFB would. Each received dog tags, pre-deployment briefings and ate in a field kitchen. Little Rock AFB is responsible for airlifting supplies and people throughout the world. It has a dual-mission of worldwide aerial delivery and C-130 aircrew training. Concluding the tour at Little Rock AFB was the static display of the C-130J Hercules aircraft. The J model, which incorporates state-of-the-art technology, will replace the aging C-130Es. On the return trip to Vance AFB, the group experienced an in-flight refueling of a C-17 Globemaster III, seeing firsthand how a KC-135 boom operator guides the equipment into place to supply fuel to aircraft in the air. "The tour highlighted our Airmen's dedication and professionalism and our civic leaders were very impressed," said Colonel Michael Callan, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, who hosted the tour. "They are now pumped up and want to learn more about Vance AFB's people and mission."